On the Ground: Stewardship Day at Gourdneck State Game Area

Katelyn Helsel • January 22, 2025

On Saturday, January 18, 2025, MUCC’s On the Ground program partnered with the City of Portage Parks and Recreation and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to host a stewardship day at Gourdneck State Game Area in Kalamazoo County. This area was established in 1941 and is known as the state’s first urban state game area. Surrounded by the metropolitan area of Portage, Gourdneck offers many opportunities for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts alike in a unique setting.

Volunteers Remove Invasive Vegetation

During this stewardship day, volunteers removed invasive woody vegetation that was encroaching on a wetland/fen within the state game area. Volunteers used loppers and handsaws to remove glossy buckthorn and other invasives and created small brush piles surrounding the wetland/fen area. Additionally, DNR staff applied herbicide after volunteers were finished cutting to ensure these invasive species would not grow back in the future. Volunteers also spent time with DNR staff on plant identification of glossy buckthorn and other native species found in the area to help minimize negative impacts. In total, volunteers improved approximately 1 acre of wildlife habitat directly through this project.

Why is it Important?

Removing invasive species like glossy buckthorn is important because these plants can quickly overtake an area and degrade important wildlife habitat. Glossy buckthorn in particular grows rapidly and crowds out native plants, which are important food and cover sources for wildlife. It is also a host for several diseases including alfalfa mosaic virus and crown fungus.

Wetland/fen habitats are especially important because they are home to some of Michigan’s most threatened and endangered species. Common species found in these areas include the eastern massasauga rattlesnake and the eastern box turtle, both of which have been confirmed in Gourdneck State Game Area by the Michigan DNR. These habitats also hold many other rare plant and animal species like willow aster, Mitchell’s satyr, and the spotted turtle.

Learn More

Want to participate in more invasive species removal projects? Visit our website for more information and a list of upcoming events. We work to conserve and enhance public lands by hosting volunteer workdays throughout the state geared toward habitat improvement. Common habitat projects include invasive species removal, wood duck boxes, river cleanups, tree plantings, and more. All ages are welcome, so bring a friend or two if you’d like! Registration details and more can be found on our website at mucc.org/on-the-ground.

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On the Ground: Wood Duck Boxes & More at Maple River State Game Area

By Katelyn Helsel • February 24, 2025

On Saturday, February 15, 2025, 26 volunteers joined MUCC’s On the Ground program in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for a wood duck nest box event at Maple River State Game Area in Gratiot County. This area located just north of Lansing consists of farm fields, woodlands, grasslands, and cattail marshes. It is a popular destination for hunters, trappers, birders, and wildlife viewers alike. Volunteers Maintain Nest Boxes & Remove Decking During this project, volunteers worked within three separate units of the state game area. Each group checked nest boxes and replaced old nesting material with fresh material as needed. Any use of the nest boxes by either wood ducks or other wildlife was also noted onto a data sheet. One group of volunteers also installed two brand new boxes in an area adjacent to several ponds. These new boxes will help increase nesting success even further for this incredible species. They will continue to be monitored by the DNR in addition to the existing boxes. Additionally, brush covering the entry of the boxes was cleared and used to create brush piles for small game habitat. Another group of volunteers removed old decking from a cross-bridge located between two units. Removal was fairly easy given that the boards were old and rotting away, which made the project all the more important. The boards will be replaced with fresh wood later in the year, therefore improving hunter accessibility. In total, volunteers improved approximately 49 acres of wildlife habitat directly through this project.