On the Ground: Volunteers Join Conservation Partners in Enhancing Elk Habitat in the Pigeon River Country State Forest
Kristina Kennedy • September 28, 2023
Volunteer Zach Dalton waters a newly planted oak tree in the Pigeon River Country State Forest.
On Saturday, September 23, 2023, a motivated group of volunteers put in some major sweat equity in the Pigeon River Country State Forest by improving habitat for elk and other wildlife.
MUCC joined Michigan Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
for their Annual Fall Rendezvous and Habitat Workday in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources
. At this fall kick-off event, 47 volunteers planted and fenced more than 60 oak, apple, and serviceberry trees, took down hundreds of feet of old fencing that enclosed an apple orchard, and removed encroaching red pine saplings from this newly-acquired Storey Lake unit. Even better, this site will eventually be home to a new ADA-accessible elk viewing platform!
.
Habitat improvement projects like this one would not be possible without the many dedicated volunteers who show up ready to work for wildlife. A huge thanks goes out to all of the volunteers, project partners, and the National Wildlife Federation for their generous sponsorship through the Great Northwoods Initiative, a collaborative conservation program dedicated to preserving biodiversity and sustainable forest management, and promoting the mitigation of climate change and inclusivity in recreation.
.
Recent Posts
On Friday, May 15, 2026, high school students who are part of the Reese High Outdoors Club joined MUCC’s On the Ground Junior program and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at the Denmark Township Mini State Game Area. Students completed a wildlife habitat improvement project by clearing a grassland habitat of invasive woody growth maintained for pheasants. Using the cut vegetation from the area, students constructed several large brush piles throughout the site to benefit small mammals and other wildlife in the area. Maintaining open grassland habitat is important for supporting species that rely on early successional cover for cover or feeding. Due to suppression of natural disturbances, active management helps to control woody vegetation from gradually overtaking the areas and reducing habitat quality for species that rely on the grassland. The project area is near fields planted by the DNR to provide both habitat and food sources for wildlife, making these improvements part of a larger habitat management effort on the property. In total, students directly improved 10 acres of wildlife habitat through this project. Beyond the on-the-ground impact, the event also allowed students to try a hands-on conservation experience and the ability to contribute to habitat management and public land stewardship in Michigan. Projects like this continue to demonstrate the value of engaging the next generation in Michigan's outdoor heritage and wildlife conservation efforts.
On Saturday, May 2, 2026, a group of dedicated volunteers joined Kirtland's Warbler Alliance, Huron Pines, Saginaw Children’s Zoo, and MUCC's OTG program in planting approximately 4,800 jack pine saplings within the Grayling Forest Management Unit in Crawford County. Jack pines are a critical nesting habitat feature for the once-threatened Kirtland’s warbler. In total, volunteers directly impacted about 7 acres of land were prepared by the Michigan DNR for this planting to allow volunteers to maximize their efforts across the land. This is one of our annual events that is perfect for helpers of all ages and interests.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) announces its decision to dissolve after nearly 90 years of conservation advocacy, citing ongoing financial challenges and outlining next steps in an orderly wind-down process.