On the Ground: Impact by Habitat Type

Although the 2020 field season has been severely limited by the COVID-19 pandemic, it has provided a valuable opportunity to analyze program data that has been collected since the On the Ground (OTG) program’s inception in 2013. We regularly monitor volunteer numbers and volunteer hours dedicated to wildlife habitat improvement, as well as overall acreage…

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On the Ground: How to Get Involved

Program Overview On the Ground (OTG) is MUCC’s volunteer wildlife habitat improvement program. The program is funded by a Memorandum of Agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division (DNR), and DNR wildlife biologists and technicians have been instrumental in developing and coordinating the 151 projects the OTG program has accomplished throughout the…

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On the Ground: Program Updates, Future Projects

As the state begins to reopen and COVID-19 restrictions loosen, the On the Ground (OTG) program is beginning to evaluate field operations and future program goals and capabilities. While there are currently no OTG wildlife habitat improvement events scheduled for June, there are events scheduled for both July and August. Following the most recent direction…

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Wood Duck Nest Box Projects Abound This Winter

This winter, MUCC’s On the Ground (OTG) and On the Water (OTW) programs are offering multiple opportunities to help improve wood duck nesting opportunities in state game areas and local parks. These popular events offer volunteers the opportunity to either build, place, repair or clean-out wood duck boxes to provide additional nesting resources for the…

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Registration Open for Upcoming Chainsaw Safety and OTG Events

The OTG program has a great line-up of wildlife habitat improvement projects scheduled throughout 2020, and some of the upcoming events are already posted and open for registration on the OTG webpage. Whether you’re looking to improve your sawyer skills and have an interest in a chainsaw safety course or want to be involved in…

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2020 On The Ground Wildlife Volunteer Opportunities

Interested in attending an OTG event next year? We already have several events scheduled for the winter, spring and summer months of 2020, with many more still being planned and added to the list. Many of these events are family-friendly and educational, and offer each volunteer the chance to learn more about how wildlife is…

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Happy Thanksgiving from the OTG Program

Written by Makhayla LaButte, MUCC Habitat Volunteer Coordinator It’s that wonderful time of year when family and friends gather to celebrate and give thanks, and I am looking forward to going home to the Upper Peninsula to do exactly that in the coming week. However, before I depart from the office, I want to take…

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How OTG Benefits Sportsmen and Sportswomen

Are you a hunter, trapper or angler in Michigan? If so, then be sure to thank an On the Ground (OTG) volunteer for the time and hard work they have dedicated to ensuring your favorite game species or sportfish has the quality habitat it needs to thrive. This year, the OTG program impacted 512 acres…

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