Enjoyable State Game Areas

Michigan is in full bloom, everything is green, and the weather is wonderful. Summer is the perfect time to explore the outdoors. There are many ways to enjoy nature, such as bird watching, hiking, foraging, fishing and boating. The presence of protected wildlife areas gives us access to these activities and protects wilderness for years…

Read More

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…

Read More

The History of Arbor Day

This Friday, April 29, is the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day. A day dedicated to the appreciation and care of trees. Most people spend the time planting trees or teaching about their importance, but the holiday can be celebrated in many different ways. Some hold a ceremony recognizing stewards in the community, some clean up…

Read More

The Great Grasslands of Michigan

Grasslands provide many amazing ecological functions. A wide range of different grassland community types is found across Michigan. Sadly, due to a misguided viewpoint from the 60s, fires as a management tool have been suppressed across the region. This lack of fire has allowed trees and woody vegetation to take over many grasslands. Common culprits…

Read More

Managing For Oak Wilt Workshop

A prevalent invasive species is affecting Michigan oak trees. Oak wilt is a devastating disease carried by burrowing insects and spread through root systems. It attacks the vascular system of the tree and is fatal for all species in the oak group. The leaves of the infected tree start to wilt and discolor, eventually dropping.…

Read More

Summer Berry Foraging

Spring and summer give way to the sweet splendors of berries. Besides the popular blueberries and strawberries, Michigan is also home to juniper berries, bramble berries, elderberries, juneberries and staghorn sumac berries. Each is well worth the effort and summer berry foraging can be done on state land. Although it may not seem like it…

Read More

World Water Day

World Water Day was yesterday. A day founded on the belief of equal access to clean water and dedicated to its conservation. The theme for 2022 is how climate change and water are linked. This is the perfect opportunity to talk about wetlands. Besides the carbon storage capabilities of wetlands, the impact of these communities…

Read More

Mushroom Foraging in Michigan

Michigan is full of amazing wildlife and there are many ways to enjoy the space around you. A great activity that allows you to explore the wild areas of Michigan is mushroom foraging. Mushroom foraging can be tricky and certainly makes you appreciate the complexity of nature. But with a good identification book and possibly…

Read More

Senator Stabenow supports bipartisan bill to help wildlife, prevent extinctions nationwide

Sen. Debbie Stabenow has signed onto a bipartisan wildlife conservation bill, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, that would dedicate $1.4 billion annually to locally-led efforts to help at-risk wildlife species nationwide. “We’re facing a looming wildlife crisis, and this is the most important piece of federal wildlife legislation in the past 50 years,” said MUCC…

Read More

Designating feral cats as invasive, selling leftover spring turkey tags among resolutions passed at MUCC Annual Convention

Conservationists turn out to debate, pass policy and recognize conservation leaders Conservationists convened in Gaylord over the weekend to debate policy resolutions and recognize leaders among them at Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) Annual Convention. About 100 voting delegates from conservation clubs throughout the state and unaffiliated individual members of MUCC presented, debated and passed…

Read More