On the Ground has a busy summer schedule set up with a focus in Michigan’s Northern Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula! In May and June, you can find OTG improving wildlife habitat in the Grayling State Forest, Gwinn State Forest, Pigeon River Country State Forest, Atlanta State Forest, and Gladwin State Forest Grouse Enhanced Management Site. At these events, volunteers will be completing work including planting trees, building boardwalks, cutting invasive Scotch pine, pruning dead branches from a wild apple orchard, and more. See the event list below for more details and RSVP to volunteer at an event near you!
May 19, 2018 Grayling State Forest
On Saturday, May 19th from 9am-3pm, volunteers will be pruning apple trees in a state forest land orchard. These trees will produce soft mast (apples) for the areas wildlife including deer, bear, turkey, grouse and small game. See more details and RSVP to volunteer here.
May 20, 2018 Gwinn State Forest
On Saturday, May 20th from 9am-3pm we will be planting mast-producing trees in the Gwinn State Forest. Volunteers will meet by 9am at the Gwinn Department of Natural Resources office located on Highway M-35. The project site is located about 20 miles south of Gwinn off of County Rd 557, we will caravan from the field office. Fencing structures will also be placed around the newly planted trees. See more details and RSVP to volunteer here!
June 2, 2018 Pigeon River Country State Forest
On Saturday, June 2nd from 9AM-4PM we will be partnering with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) for their annual habitat workday in the Pigeon River Country State Forest. This year, volunteers will be planting trees as well as removing some fencing from a newly acquired property near the Johnson’s Crossing area. Please see more details and RSVP to volunteer here!
June 6, 2018 Atlanta State Forest
On Wednesday, June 6th, from 8:30am-4pm we will be continuing efforts to remove Scotch pine in a location in the Atlanta State Forest. Last year, volunteers cut Scotch pine in a 10-acre section near Tomahawk Hwy. This year, we will be continuing those efforts to allow proper growth and regeneration of Jack Pine in the area. This provides great habitat for the areas whitetail deer, cottontail rabbits, snowshoe hare, elk, and of course the Kirtland Warbler! RSVP to volunteer here!
June 9, 2018 Pigeon River Country State Forest
On Saturday, June 9th from 9AM-2PM we will be improving wildlife habitat in the Pigeon River Country State Forest. Volunteers will be cutting encroaching timber to open up an area with an oak understory to allow better regeneration of the mast-producing species. The project location will be near Pickerel Lake. See more details and RSVP to volunteer here!
June 22, 2018 Gladwin Grouse Enhanced Management Site (GEMS)
On Friday, June 22nd from 10AM-2PM, we will be kicking off MUCC’s Annual Convention by improving hunter walking trails in the Gladwin GEMS Lame Duck Foot Access Area. Volunteers will be building a boardwalk in the area. See more details and RSVP to volunteer here!
MUCC’s On The Ground Program is supported by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division
