Consumers Energy Partners with OTG at Rose Lake SGA

lschultz • August 29, 2019

Volunteers from Washington, D.C. and Michigan came together Tuesday, August 27  to remove and treat invasivehoneysuckle in the Rose Lake State Game Area (SGA) in East Lansing. Michigan United Conservation Clubs’ (MUCC) On the Ground (OTG) program hosted the event with Consumers Energy to aid the company in reaching its planet goals of restoring, protecting and enhancing 5,000 acres of public land.

Consumers Energy rallied 18 volunteers from both Washington, D.C. and Michigan to come out and have a positive impact on local wildlife habitat. The invasive honeysuckle was removed using loppers, hand saws and chainsaws within a 24-acre forest stand. Volunteers wasted no time before delving into the understory to help get the forest back on the right ecological track. To further inhibit the regeneration and growth of the invasive species, licensed pesticide applicator Autumn Christenson chemically-treated each invasive honeysuckle stump.

The honeysuckle was still very dense throughout the understory of the forest we were working to improve, but the staff at Consumers Energy did an excellent job at remaining motivated throughout the course of the project. Although conditions were hot and humid, it was a great day in the field and a great example of how powerful partnerships can be in conservation. A huge thank you to all the staff at Consumers Energy who came out to Rose Lake for this event and volunteered for wildlife!

Our final OTG event of the season will involve removing woody brush from along dike edges to improve hunter and recreationist access within the Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area on September 6. We will then stack the brush off to the side of the dikes to enhance habitat for native game and non-game species. Come out and help us wrap up another successful OTG season!

Recent Posts

By Olivia Triltsch July 24, 2025
Wildlife damage permits can help ease the harm done to agriculture, private property, human health and safety, and recovery of protected wildlife
By Olivia Triltsch July 17, 2025
The benefits of beekeeping, especially in urban areas, are profound.
By Katelyn Helsel July 15, 2025
On Saturday, July 12, 2025, MUCC hosted another successful Manistee River Cleanup at High Bridge Boat Launch in partnership with Steelhead Manifesto, USDA Forest Service, and the Michigan DNR. This annual event has taken place for the last 11 years, with MUCC having been involved from the very beginning. This is also one of our highest attended events with around 60 volunteers each year committed to cleaning up the river for all to enjoy. 
More Posts