Arctic grayling have been considered extirpated in Michigan since 1936. However, conservation efforts have been working to reintroduce the species

While species spotlights are normally focused on native plants, fish, and wildlife, the invasive ones are just as important to talk about. With summer kicking off soon and boating season getting underway, aquatic invaders are ever present throughout Michigan’s waterways. However, there is one species that is very hard to manage due to its tiny size and difficulty to spot: the New Zealand mud snail. 

On Saturday, May 17th, Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) partnered with Pointe Mouillee Waterfowl Festival (PWMF) and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to host a clean-up at Pointe Mouillee State Game Area in Wayne/Monroe County. Trash and debris were disposed of via a dumpster donated by All In Dumpster Rental . The game area consists of 4,040 acres managed by the Michigan DNR along with other partners, including PMWF, as part of one of the largest freshwater marsh habitat restoration projects globally, according to the DNR.

On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 28 7th-12th grade students and faculty from Cass City Jr/Sr High School partnered with MUCC’s On the Ground Junior (OTG Jr.) program and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for a tree planting at Elmwood Township State Game Area in Tuscola County. Students also participated in removing invasive species from a different site at Gagetown State Game Area, also in Tuscola County. In total, students improved approximately 2 acres of wildlife habitat directly through this project between both sites. 

On Saturday, May 10, 2025, MUCC's On the Ground program partnered with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), and Michigan Forest Association (MFA) for a native tree planting event in Port Huron State Game Area.

On Thursday and Friday, May 8 & 9, 2025, MUCC’s On the Ground Junior (OTG Jr.) program hosted its largest project since the program’s inception in 2016. A total of 160 students and 9 faculty from Norup International Schools participated in a two-day event hosted at Island Lake Recreation Area in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Between MUCC staff, DNR project partners, and Norup International students & staff, over 175 people volunteered their time to improve wildlife habitat on Michigan’s public lands and recreation areas. This is also the first time that MUCC has partnered with three different divisions within the DNR for one project. Partners from the Wildlife, Parks & Recreation, and Marketing & Outreach Divisions all came together to make this event a huge success.  OTG Jr. is a fully funded field trip program that brings 5th grade – high school students into the outdoors to gain hands-on experience improving wildlife habitat in their local communities. Through activities like native plantings, brush pile building, and invasive species removal, students actively participate in habitat conservation and create a positive impact in the world around them. Educational stations like predator-prey tag and wildlife ID are also available to teach students about population dynamics and other natural resources concepts.

The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) met for their May meeting today at Lansing Community College West Campus. The commission voted to return antlered opportunities to the Independence and Liberty hunts at the May Natural Resources Commission meeting. The amendment to restore this opportunity passed after Commissioner Walters withdrew his amendment from April to only partially restore antlered opportunity during these hunts. MUCC testified for the complete restoration of antlered opportunity during these two hunts, per a member passed policy from our 2025 Annual Convention. The commission also voted on, and ultimately accepted, a proposal to allow archery antlerless take in the high snowfall zone in the Upper Peninsula. Additionally, the commission also chose to leave on the table and postpone indefinitely the order to reopen the illegally partially closed coyote season. This prevents the order from dying after today's meeting and makes it eligible for action at a later date. This amendment will remain postponed until the June meeting at the earliest.  MUCC has created the Coyote Coalition to assist in unifying the voice of conservationists in support of Proposal G. To join the Coyote Coalition, visit https://www.mucc.org/coyotecoalition . The commission did adopt proposed fall turkey regulations unanimously. The June commission meeting is Thursday, June 12 in Bay City. To ensure our natural resources remain protected and managed thoughtfully and our outdoor heritage defended, join Michigan United Conservation Clubs today: http://bit.ly/JoinMUCC .

In total, volunteers improved about 6 acres of habitat and planted around 6,000 trees in this stand to continue regeneration.

Our student volunteers have been hard at work improving wildlife habitat on public lands! MUCC’s On the Ground Junior (OTG Jr.) program, a subset of the On the Ground program, is a fully funded field trip program that brings grade-school classrooms into the outdoors to improve fish and wildlife habitat in their local communities. Through activities like native plantings, brush pile building, and invasive species removal, students gain hands-on experience with conservation and positively impact the world around them. Students also participate in educational activities like predator-prey tag to teach them about population dynamics and other natural resources concepts. So far this spring season, MUCC welcomed 69 students, teachers, and chaperones who participated in multiple OTG Jr projects with more on the way! In total, they improved over 12 acres of wildlife habitat. Read on for a recap of each OTG Jr project and see what all our awesome student volunteers have been up to.