What is AmeriCorps?

Americorps • March 19, 2020

Since the beginning of February, I have been serving as the Huron Pines AmeriCorps Member at Michigan United Conservation Clubs(MUCC).

Last week was Michigan’s AmeriCorps week and since the beginning of my service term, I have encountered quite a few questions and I thought it was an appropriate time to answer the most common of them, What exactly is AmeriCorps? 

 The official answer from the agency that runs AmeriCorps, the Corporation for National and Community Service is “AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs, made up of three primary programs that each take a different approach to improving lives and fostering civic engagement. Members commit their time to address critical community needs like increasing academic achievement, mentoring youth, fighting poverty, sustaining national parks, preparing for disasters, and more.”

AmeriCorps members make a commitment to serve their community and  each member must take the following pledge before beginning their service term. ” I will get things done for America – to make our people safer, smarter, and healthier. I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities. Faced with apathy, I will take action. Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground. Faced with adversity, I will persevere. I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond. I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done. ” 

The members of the 2020 Huron Pines AmeriCorps Program.

Each AmeriCorps program has a different focus on what type of work is done in the community. There are currently 29 programs here in Michigan with roughly 1,700 individuals serving, compared to 75,000 AmeriCorps members serving nationally. The Huron Pines AmeriCorps program has been around since 2007. Its program mission is for members ” to enhance Michigan’s natural resources and foster environmental stewardship by engaging local volunteers, community groups and schools in service projects, hands-on learning opportunities, and educational workshops.” I am one of the twenty-two members of this year’s program. We are spread all over Michigan, from Lansing to Grayling and there is even a member up in the Keweenaw Peninsula.

I cannot speak highly enough about my AmeriCorps experience with the Huron Pines program and MUCC. I feel very fortunate to be serving with MUCC as I have gotten the chance to learn from individuals who are passionate and serious about protecting Michigan’s natural resources.  The highlight of my service so far has been meeting the amazing and selfless volunteers who have shown up to improve wildlife habitat at MUCC’s On the Ground(OTG) and On the Water (OTW) events. I am excited about the rest of my service term and getting things done.  I would encourage folks if they were interested in learning more about AmeriCorps or Huron Pines to check out the links below. 

 

Recent Posts

On the Ground: Brush Piles and Invasive Species at Denmark Township Mini State Game Area

By Olivia Triltsch • May 21, 2026
On Friday, May 15, 2026, high school students who are part of the Reese High Outdoors Club joined MUCC’s On the Ground Junior program and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at the Denmark Township Mini State Game Area. Students completed a wildlife habitat improvement project by clearing a grassland habitat of invasive woody growth maintained for pheasants. Using the cut vegetation from the area, students constructed several large brush piles throughout the site to benefit small mammals and other wildlife in the area. Maintaining open grassland habitat is important for supporting species that rely on early successional cover for cover or feeding. Due to suppression of natural disturbances, active management helps to control woody vegetation from gradually overtaking the areas and reducing habitat quality for species that rely on the grassland. The project area is near fields planted by the DNR to provide both habitat and food sources for wildlife, making these improvements part of a larger habitat management effort on the property. In total, students directly improved 10 acres of wildlife habitat through this project. Beyond the on-the-ground impact, the event also allowed students to try a hands-on conservation experience and the ability to contribute to habitat management and public land stewardship in Michigan. Projects like this continue to demonstrate the value of engaging the next generation in Michigan's outdoor heritage and wildlife conservation efforts.

On the Ground: Jack Pine Planting Day 2026

By Olivia Triltsch • May 7, 2026
On Saturday, May 2, 2026, a group of dedicated volunteers joined Kirtland's Warbler Alliance, Huron Pines, Saginaw Children’s Zoo, and MUCC's OTG program in planting approximately 4,800 jack pine saplings within the Grayling Forest Management Unit in Crawford County. Jack pines are a critical nesting habitat feature for the once-threatened Kirtland’s warbler. In total, volunteers directly impacted about 7 acres of land were prepared by the Michigan DNR for this planting to allow volunteers to maximize their efforts across the land. This is one of our annual events that is perfect for helpers of all ages and interests.

MUCC Announces Dissolution After Nearly 90 Years of Conservation Advocacy

May 4, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) announces its decision to dissolve after nearly 90 years of conservation advocacy, citing ongoing financial challenges and outlining next steps in an orderly wind-down process.
More Posts