OTG Jr. Partners with Lenawee ISD in Chelsea

lschultz • October 10, 2019

On Wednesday, October 9, 21 students and three chaperones from Lenawee ISD came out to the Michigan Out-of-Doors (MOOD) Youth Camp in Chelsea to help improve native wildlife and pollinator habitat on camp property. The MOOD Youth Camp islocated at Cedar Lake and is part of the Waterloo Recreation Area, and every summer hundreds of youth come through the camp to learn about natural resources and outdoor recreation.

Native wildlife habitat and pollinators are part of the education curriculum at camp, and there is a pollinator garden on camp property that is used to help introduce the campers to the importance of pollinators and their habitat. However, a large section of the pollinator garden and sections along the trail at camp had become crowded out by a grove of invasive autumn olive, and the students from Lenawee ISD decided that they would be able to help us take care of the problem.

After introducing the project and educating students about the ecology of the floral and faunal species they were impacting, the students wasted no time before beginning to tackle the invasive species in the pollinator garden. Using teamwork, students successfully removed the entire grove of autumn olive and an abundance of autumn olive along the trail. Before long, the students were ready for a break from the work and looking forward to lunch, and the last half hour before food was served was spent on the obstacle course at camp.

The students arrived at the lodge for lunch bright-eyed and laughing after the fun challenge of the obstacle course, and it wasn’t long before the five pizzas were devoured. During lunch, regional DNR Wildlife Biologist Denny Tison visited the students to discuss potential career pathways with the department and MUCC Camp Director Max Bass discussed summer employment opportunities at MOOD Youth Camp and careers in outdoor education. The students spent the remainder of the afternoon continuing their natural resources education at the Gerald E. Eddy Discovery Center near MOOD camp.

Thank you for another great OTG Jr. project, Lenawee ISD!

Volunteers from Lenawee ISD after the invasive autumn olive was removed.

Volunteers from Lenawee ISD in front of the invasive autumn olive they removed during the OTG Jr. project.

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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.