On the Ground: Public Land Clean-Up Challenge Winners Announced

Spanning the month of April 2020, the On the Ground (OTG) Public Land Clean-Up Challenge gave individuals and families the opportunity to give back to their public lands while recreating outdoors and practicing social distancing. Many individuals shared photographs and short stories about why they have chosen to participate in the effort, often citing a…

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OTG Public Land Clean-Up Challenge Ends Tomorrow

After two weeks and an abundance of good public land stewardship shown by all participants, the OTG virtual public land clean-up challenge officially ends tomorrow, Friday, May 1. We have received lots of great entries and we appreciate everyone who has taken the time to take care of their public lands while continuing to social…

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MUCC Launches Responsible Recreation Photo Contest

While the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many people are realizing the benefit of getting outside to recreate as a healthy respite from the quarantine. As several of us already know, activities such as casting a line into our favorite lake, going out for a spring turkey hunt or going for a walk in the woods are…

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Public Land Series

Wednesday was the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, and I wanted to take the opportunity whilst folks are reflecting on their impact on the environment, to talk a little about public lands. Growing up many of my opportunities to explore, recreate and connect with the natural world have occurred on public land here in Michigan.…

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Last Week to Participate in the OTG Virtual Public Land Clean-Up Challenge

Launched on April 2, 2020, this initiative has given individuals and families the opportunity to give back to their public lands while recreating outdoors and practicing social distancing. Many individuals have shared photographs and short stories about why they have chosen to participate in the effort, often citing a love of the resource, their unfavorable…

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OTG Public Land Clean-Up Challenge

Our On the Ground (OTG) program launched a virtual public land clean-up last week on April 2, 2020 that includes all state game areas (SGA), wildlife management/viewing areas and Grouse Enhanced Management Sites (GEMS). The goal is to encourage land-users to leave their public land better than they found it and give them a chance…

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On the Ground Launches Virtual State Game Area Clean-Up

In an effort to encourage safe outdoor recreation and the continued stewardship of our public lands, the OTG program is hosting a virtual state game area clean-up beginning Thursday, April 2, 2020.  Getting Involved  The goal of this initiative is to encourage those who are out recreating during this social distancing period to improve their…

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On the Ground: 151 Projects and Counting

MUCC’s On the Ground (OTG) program has completed more than 150 projects on state land across Michigan since its inception nearly eight years ago. In that time period, more than 3,000 volunteers have improved wildlife habitat through weekend projects in state game areas and forests that involve building brush piles, removing invasive trees, restoring grassland…

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OTG Wildlife Volunteer Events Canceled Amid COVID-19

Due to recent announcements and the public health concerns surrounding COVID-19, all Department of Natural Resources and On the Ground (OTG) volunteer events have been suspended for the next two months. This includes all OTG events from now until mid-May. There is a possibility that this suspension will be extended into the summer, depending on…

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