National Pollinator Week: Pollinators and the OTG Program

lschultz • June 25, 2020

The week of June 22-28, 2020 has been designated as National Pollinator Week. Thirteen years ago, the United States Senate unanimously approved that one week in the month of June be used to both celebrate pollinators and bring attention to their rapidly declining populations. Since the inception of National Pollinator Week, the initiative has grown into an international celebration that highlights the growing efforts to protect pollinators and their habitat. National Pollinator Week was initiated by the Pollinator Partnership, and this organization continues to manage all related efforts.

Pollinators are critical to healthy ecosystem function and the well-being of humans and wildlife alike. Bees, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, birds, bats and other small mammals are all pollinators. According to Pollinator Partnership and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), these species help pollinate more than 75% of all flowering plants and nearly 75% of all crops. Additionally, pollinators are responsible for providing one out of every three bites of food you take each day.

The On the Ground (OTG) program welcomes the opportunity to highlight the birds, insects, bats and other small mammals that have such a large impact on Michigan’s wildlife and agriculture. Since 2013, the OTG program and its volunteers have helped improve more than 2,000 acres of public land that benefits an abundance of wildlife, including pollinators. Specifically, more than 1,000 acres of public grassland habitat has been improved through the planting of native grasses and wildflowers and through the removal of invasive flora.

Grasslands are home to diverse plant and animal species, which is why their management is so important. The restoration of native grasslands is a win for popular game birds like ring-necked pheasants and wild turkeys, but it also benefits pollinators and songbirds. Other components of the ecosystem like air and water are also improved when native grasslands are restored.

When pollinators thrive, the entire ecosystem benefits. The OTG program is proud to work with Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wildlife professionals across the state on habitat projects with ecosystem-wide goals in mind that take into account both game and non-game species.

If you would like to learn more about pollinators and the Pollinator Partnership, please visit the links below.

  • https://www.pollinator.org/pollinator-week
  • https://www.fws.gov/pollinators/

Recent Posts

October NRC Recap

By Justin Tomei • October 9, 2025
The Natural Resources Commission met today, Thursday, October 9th for their October meeting. The commission reaffirmed its intent to allow for lethal year-round coyote management on public and private land via a unanimously passed resolution before passing fisheries orders, and tabling more for consideration in November. The commission passed Fisheries Orders 210.26 , and 254.25 before tabling 206.26, 219.26 , and 253.26 . Commissioner John Walters provided an amendment to the fisheries order to expand underwater spearfishing opportunities to most of the Great Lakes, allowing for some spatial closures for the protection of particularly sensitive areas. The commission took steps to make good on their promise to allow year-round coyote management, unanimously passing a resolution more clearly stating their intent and what the pending wildlife conservation order will look like. The next meeting is Thursday November 6 in Lansing.

October NRC Meeting Preview: Wildlife, Habitat, and Regulation Updates on the Agenda

By Justin Tomei • October 7, 2025
The Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) will convene for its October meeting on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at Michigan Technological University’s Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts in Houghton, MI. This monthly gathering brings together commissioners, Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff, and the public to discuss policy decisions and updates impacting the state’s natural resources, wildlife, and outdoor recreation opportunities. The meeting will begin with Coffee with Commissioners from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., followed by the formal session at 9:30 a.m. Attendees can park for free in Lot 10, located east of the Rozsa Center. The meeting will open with a presentation from DNR leadership, including several notable updates and informational reports: Spring Turkey Regulations: Wildlife Division staff will present proposed changes to spring turkey hunting regulations for 2026. Wildlife Habitat Grants : Program leads will outline new habitat grant initiatives and highlight ongoing restoration efforts across the state. Moose Population Monitoring: A presentation will cover results from the most recent moose survey and discuss ecological and environmental factors limiting population growth. White-Nose Syndrome: The Wildlife Division will provide the latest data on the spread and impact of white-nose syndrome on Michigan’s bat populations. New Business The commission will consider a range of new proposals and action items, including: Oil and Gas Lease Auction: Approval for a proposed October 21, 2025, lease auction for energy development on state-managed lands. Land Transactions: Consideration of multiple land sales, acquisitions, and donations, including parcels in Tuscola, Wayne, St. Clair, and Luce counties. Wildlife Orders: Review of spring turkey regulations for the 2026 hunting season . Old Business The NRC will also revisit several regulatory items from previous meetings, including proposed amendments to a number of Fisheries Orders. This includes an amendment further expanding underwater spearfishing to larger portions of the Great Lakes. All orders and amendments for consideration can be found at the NRC agenda, HERE .

Michigan Legislature passes budget, DNR highlights

By Justin Tomei • October 3, 2025
Early Friday, morning, the Michigan Legislature approved a budget for the 2026 fiscal year. The two chambers and the governor agreed to a deal earlier this week and passed a stopgap to keep the state government open while work on the omnibus bill was finalized. The DNR budget is highlighted by some minor cuts, and new boilerplate language: No license fee increases were included No recreation passport opt-out was included Nature awaits program was removed as an on-going program Reduces 4.0 FTE positions for Fish Production and 15.0 FTE positions for Fisheries Resource Management Reduces 20.0 FTE positions and $200,000 for Wildlife Management Reduces invasive species prevention and control by $1.2 million Appropriates $2.8 million GF/GP (one-time) for fish production and stocking in Great Lakes and inland fisheries Reduces wetland restoration, enhancement, and acquisition funding by $1 million. In-person work prioritization New DNR scorecard and reporting requirements Prohibition on utility scale solar and wind projects on public lands An authorization to increase restricted fund appropriations if a license fee bill is passed The House Fiscal Analysis of the budget can be found HERE . To ensure our natural resources remain protected and managed thoughtfully, and our outdoor heritage defended, join Michigan United Conservation Clubs today: http://bit.ly/JoinMUCC .
More Posts