Plant Trees with the OTG Program this October

After event postponements and cancellations due to COVID-19 throughout the spring and summer field seasons, the On the Ground (OTG) program is happy to be getting back out into the field to improve wildlife habitat on public land. We have been contacted by diverse conservation groups regarding partnerships to plant trees this fall, and we…

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OTG Program to Host Wildlife Volunteer Events This September and October

On the Ground (OTG) is MUCC’s volunteer wildlife habitat improvement program. Through this program, hunters, anglers, trappers and outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds have the opportunity to donate their time for the benefit of the species and wild places they enjoy. Since 2013, more than 3,000 volunteers have improved wildlife habitat through weekend projects like building…

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On the Ground: Impact Across Michigan

The On the Ground (OTG) program has recently completed a thorough program analysis and has been able to organize new data regarding the program’s impact and reach. When we host an OTG wildlife habitat improvement event, we record the location of the event and what Michigan county it is located in. It has long been…

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On the Ground: Volunteer Input Requested

With more than 3,000 volunteers and more than 150 wildlife habitat improvement projects completed, the On the Ground (OTG) program has impacted wildlife habitat on public land throughout Michigan over the past eight years. As we look back and review the past eight field seasons, we are compiling data and reports to build a comprehensive…

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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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MUCC Continues to Promote Responsible Outdoor Recreation

Since social distancing orders were announced in March, the field team at Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) has been actively working to encourage Michiganders to continue to enjoy the outdoors while also following public health recommendations surrounding COVID-19. To accomplish this and to fill the gap left by our postponed field season, the field team…

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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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