On the Ground: Long-Term Partnerships

MUCC’s On the Ground program has been going strong since its inception in 2013. Funded by an MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division, On the Ground has been able to complete a variety of habitat improvement projects statewide. The program celebrated 10 years in 2023 with a total…

Read More

Vernal Pools: Learn More About These Important Wetlands

There’s an old saying here in Michigan, “You’re never more than a few minutes away from a body of water”. Whether it’s a stream, pond, inland lake, or one of the Great Lakes, the state of Michigan is home to a large amount of water. According to the Great Lakes Commission, the Great Lakes hold…

Read More

USDA Emergency Forest Restoration Assistance for Private Landowners

forest restoration, tree planting

Were you or someone you know impacted by tornado damage to private forestland in Livingston or Ingham County? The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides programs that provide financial assistance to private landowners to help restore forests. The Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) was recently implemented by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Ingham…

Read More

Wetland Community Types in Michigan

Fen ecosystem at Shingleton State Forest

According to the Michigan Natural Features Inventory, a wetland is defined as an ecosystem that is saturated with water for varying periods and characterized by water-loving vegetation and soils. A few other important factors that distinguish wetlands from other ecosystems are soil chemistry, hydrology, species composition, and geographic distribution. Wetlands are important because they provide…

Read More

On the Ground: Volunteers Build “Rabbitat” at Bellevue Conservation Club

On Saturday, February 3, 2024, MUCC’s On the Ground Program hosted a brush pile-building event in partnership with the Bellevue Conservation Club. Brush piles are called “rabbitat” because they provide habitat for rabbits and many other species, including chipmunks, squirrels, mice, snakes, and ground-nesting birds. Brush piles are also used as hunting grounds for hawks,…

Read More

White-tailed Deer: How do they Survive Michigan Winters?

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are considered to be one of the most popular game species in Michigan, and for good reason. Nothing beats the adrenaline rush when a big buck walks out in front of your hunting spot. During this time of year, deer are well adapted to survive the cold and snow, but why…

Read More

On the Ground: Volunteers plant 100 mast-producing trees on public land in Kalkaska County

On Saturday, October 14, 2023, MUCC’s On the Ground program partnered once again with biologist Gib King of Land Ethic LCC to host volunteers at a mast-producing tree planting and brush pile building event in the Traverse City Forest Management Unit (Kalkaska County). In total, 23 volunteers planted one-hundred 5-6 foot trees including various crabapple,…

Read More