On the Ground Junior: Students from Grand Traverse Academy Enhance Pollinator Habitat on Public Land

Kristina Kennedy • May 12, 2022

GTA students are assisted by their teacher, Mr. Lazar, in planting serviceberry bushes within their new pollinator garden in the Traverse City Forest Management Unit.

On Thursday, May 5, 2022, 37 5th and 6th grade students and 10 chaperones from Grand Traverse Academy (GTA) in Traverse City volunteered with OTG Jr and the MDNR to plant a pollinator garden and help build a deer exclosure in the Traverse City Forest Management Unit (FMU) in Union Twp. Students broadcast-planted wildflower seeds, as well as planted 24 potted plants including lupine. They also planted 24 large shrubs including serviceberry and nannyberry. These soft mast-producing shrubs are an important component of healthy wildlife habitat. Not only are the shrubs well-adapted to local growing conditions, but they also attract target pollinator species like songbirds, insects, and small mammals that may consume the fruit mast and disperse seeds into the environment.

After planting the flowers and shrubs, students helped place large posts that will anchor the fencing used to exclude deer from the garden. When plants and shrubs are initially placed into a new area, it’s a good idea to protect them using tubing or fences to keep deer and other wildlife from browsing on all of the new buds. Once the plants are well-established, the fencing may be removed and reused.

Students from GTA gather for a group photo after getting their hands dirty in their newly-planted pollinator garden on state land just outside Traverse City.

During the project, students learned about the importance of pollinators in the ecosystem and native vegetation that supports pollinator populations. After completing the habitat improvement work, students participated in guided activities including archery lessons and a predator-prey game.

In total, students directly enhanced about 1 acre of wildlife habitat, but their efforts will extend beyond this acre and continue to impact a large area of wildlife habitat on public land for years to come.

Recent Posts

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 .

Art for Conservation: The Federal Duck Stamp Competition

By Olivia Triltsch • October 2, 2025
History
More Posts