On the Ground: Improving Wildlife Habitat Across Southern Michigan

Sarah Scheitz • February 29, 2024

MUCC’s On the Ground (OTG) program had a busy week in Southern Michigan. OTG traveled from the Southeast side in Port Huron to the Southwest side in Portage to host volunteer stewardship projects to improve habitat for wildlife. In a single week, volunteers improved about 20 acres of public land.

On Friday, February 23, 2024, OTG traveled to the Port Huron State Game Area to partner with the Michigan DNR’s Wildlife Division. 22 volunteers, including 10 from the Michigan Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer program, came together to build brush piles in a managed clear-cut. Forest clear-cuts are a valuable tool for managing habitat for wildlife. By building brush piles in the clear-cut, volunteers removed dense down logs and branches from the ground. This will allow regeneration of trees, which will provide browse for white-tailed deer and habitat for woodcocks. The combination of clearing brush from the ground and building brush piles will provide many benefits to a variety of wildlife.

The second OTG project site of the week was at the Gourdneck State Game Area in Kalamazoo County on Saturday, February 24, 2024. OTG partnered with the Michigan DNR and the City of Portage Parks and Recreation Department to restore a unique ecosystem. Volunteer removing invasive species to improve wildlife habitat Volunteers helped improve wildlife habitat by removing glossy buckthorn and other invasive shrubs from a prairie fen. Cut stumps were treated with herbicide to prevent future regrowth in an effort to allow native vegetation the opportunity to regenerate. Volunteers improved a total of 3 acres of land.

A special thank you to all our volunteers for their hard work and dedication to habitat conservation!

The post On the Ground: Improving Wildlife Habitat Across Southern Michigan appeared first on Michigan United Conservation Clubs.

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MUCC Marks 250th Habitat Project with Clinton River Clean-Up—Volunteers Needed!

By Olivia Triltsch • April 15, 2025

MUCC Marks 250th Habitat Project with Clinton River Clean-Up—Volunteers Needed! Rochester Hills, MI — April 15, 2025 — Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) is proud to announce its 250th On the Ground (OTG) habitat improvement project: a community clean-up of the Clinton River at Yates Park in Rochester Hills. The event will take place on Saturday, April 19, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM . In partnership with Metro-West Steelheaders and the Clinton River Watershed Council, this initiative aims to enhance fish and wildlife habitats by removing trash from the river and surrounding riparian zones. The project not only benefits local ecosystems but also fosters a cleaner, healthier community and environment. Event Details: Location: Yates Park, 1990 E Avon Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48307 Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM What to Bring: Work gloves (if available), appropriate outdoor attire, and a reusable water bottle. MUCC will provide waders, trash grabbers, trash bags, lunch, and a volunteer appreciation gift. This milestone event underscores MUCC's commitment to conservation and community engagement. "Reaching our 250th project is a testament to the dedication of our volunteers and partners," said Olivia Triltsch, MUCC's Habitat Program and Partnerships Coordinator. "We invite everyone to join us in making a tangible impact on our natural resources." Registration: Interested volunteers should register by Friday, April 18, at 2:00 PM. To expedite check-in, please complete the digital volunteer waiver individually for each participant. Individuals under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign the waiver. For late registrations or cancellations, contact Olivia Triltsch at otriltsch@mucc.org. MUCC is always excited to work alongside the Clinton River Watershed Council. Their continued efforts to protect, enhance, and promote the Clinton River and its watershed are deeply valued. Together, we make a greater impact on ensuring clean, healthy waterways and thriving wildlife habitats for generations to come.