A Great Day on the Dunes!

Americorps • July 29, 2020

MUCC’s On The Water(OTW) Program was out this past Saturday for its third straight weekend in the field. The mission of the day was to remove the invasive species Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea stoebe) from sensitive areas on the Kitchel-Lindquist-Hartger(KLH) Dunes Preserve.

We began at 9:00, as our determined team of four set out for a particular area of the dunes with a patch of Pitcher’s Thistle. According to Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI), the key characteristics of Pitcher’s Thistle (Cirsium pitcheri) are “Perennial thistle of open Great Lakes dunes; leaves bluish-green with few spines, densely covered by white-woolly hairs, forming only a basal rosette when young; flower heads numerous and very pale in color.” Pitcher’s Thistle is designated as a legally threatened species, which is why we concentrated our volunteer efforts to remove the Spotted Knapweed growing nearby. The concern with Spotted Knapweed is that it is poisonous to other plants and if left unmanaged it will spread and create areas of the dunes where nothing but knapweed grows.

After only three hours, we pulled twenty bags, around 110 pounds, of Spotted Knapweed from the dunes. It was a great opportunity to get outside and learn more about the impact invasive species can have on freshwater dunes ecosystems. The highlight of my day was working with like-minded and passionate volunteers from MUCC and KLH. If you live on the west side of Michigan, you should certainly make it a point to get out and recreate responsibly at the KLH Dunes Preserve.

To learn how you can get involved and volunteer with hands-on conservation work, follow this link to see the August schedule of OTW events.

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