The Importance of Michigan’s Rivers

According to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, Michigan is home to over 300 named rivers which extend 51,438 miles across the state. Rivers offer many important benefits such as habitat for fish and wildlife, transportation, and recreational opportunities for the general public. Things like pollution can damage a river, causing harm not just…

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How Does a Solar Eclipse Affect the Environment?

On Monday, April 8, 2024, a rare total solar eclipse is set to cross the entire North American continent. The eclipse will begin over the South Pacific Ocean, passing through the United States, Mexico, and Canada. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the eclipse will pass over Mexico starting at 11:07 AM…

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My Americorps Service so Far

It has been a busy season since I started my Americorps service with MUCC. In just four months with the MUCC I have assisted in four OTG events engaging 122 volunteers in wildlife habitat enhancements. I’ve attended a few outreach events such as the Quiet Adventures Symposium to spread MUCC’s message of conservation and attended…

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Chainsaw Safety

This wonderful warm weather marks the time for yard work. For some, this is the time to break out their chainsaw. A chainsaw is a useful tool that makes easy work clearing debris/brush and felling snags. However, don’t be deceived, this tool can cause great bodily harm if used irresponsibly. Luckily there are many online…

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Native Plant Gardens

Last Saturday MUCC’s OTG program planted 275 shrubs and trees at Potterville SGA. Currently, the area is being managed for wetlands. American hazelnut, buttonbush, highbush cranberry and two dogwood varieties were planted across 8 acres in the SGA. Besides bringing the area closer to its goal, the species planted are utilized by wildlife. Not only…

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On the Ground: Creating Safer Sawyers

For the fourth consecutive year, MUCC hosted a Chainsaw Safety Training course provided to members, volunteers with OTG, and the general public. In previous years, Chuck Oslund of Bay College has taught his safety system to groups of 15-35 participants with us. This year, there were 32 participants and instructors included Scott Peterson from SOS…

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On the Ground: Dansville State Game Area

Last weekend, a group of 12 volunteers improved wildlife habitat in the Dansville State Game Area. The project goals were to improve hunter access trails and build brush piles in the area for rabbitat. A total of ten large brush piles were built using the trees cleared from the pathway. The volunteers completed a project…

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On the Ground: Crane Pond SGA Annual Youth Rabbit Hunt 2018

Last weekend, I attended the Crane Pond State Game Area’s Annual Youth Hunt for the fourth year in a row. This year, there were over 30 participants and enough mentors and dogs for the entire group. The group split up into 5 smaller groups to hunt different sections of the state game area. Many of…

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On the Ground: Falconry in Improved Habitat Areas

At the latest On the Ground event in the Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area, volunteers Christopher Martello and Kelly Haughn helped to build brush piles for rabbitat in the area. They also brought along their juvenile Red-tailed Hawk, Vesper, and Small Munsterlander, Kita, to hunt a few areas where brush piles have been previously built by…

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On the Ground: Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area

Last weekend, a group of 17 volunteers completed work in a wildlife opening in the Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area. Groups have been improving wildlife habitat in this site for the past 3 years prior to this event. The objective was to remove any standing timber from the opening and build large brush piles for rabbit…

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