Our lobbyists work to fight for fair legislation to preserve hunting, fishing, and trapping rights. Some of the landmark conservation achievements MUCC has worked to pass include the Bottle Deposit Law and Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund in 1976, protecting the Trust Fund in the Michigan Constitution in 1984, protecting hunting rights through Proposal G in 1996, and reinforcing Prop G through the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act in 2014. MUCC’s legislative priorities for 2025-2026 are available to the public and include policies like allowing as an option hunter’s safety in schools. Each year, the organization hosts a convention for individuals and clubs to propose resolutions to be added to these priorities.
Michigan Wildlife Conservation Month: MUCC's Impact
Olivia Triltsch • June 26, 2025
On July 1, 2024, Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared July as Wildlife Conservation Month in Michigan. This date holds great significance as it celebrates the anniversary of the Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, in which a portion of purchased hunting equipment goes toward conservation across the country. In addition to funding provided by sportsmen and women who purchase a hunting or fishing license, conservation has prevailed in Michigan. Within this declaration, the management role hunters and anglers play in conserving wildlife and habitat for future generations was recognized. Along with science-based management, these communities work to enhance habitat, contribute to monitoring populations, and control disease spread within regulated hunting and fishing seasons. With the help of many organizations taking part in conserving the natural resources of the Great Lakes state, we have seen many successes in supporting waning wildlife populations, including elk, wild turkey, and Kirtland’s warblers.
Michigan United Conservation Clubs
In 1937, Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) formed with a mission to conserve, protect, and defend Michigan’s natural resources and outdoor heritage. The organization's formation came at a critical time after Michigan’s timber resources were heavily destroyed by unregulated logging in the 1800s, sobering up Michiganders and sparking interest in conserving natural resources. Since its inception, MUCC has made great strides in the conservation of natural resources through advocacy, habitat, youth education, and communications.
Advocacy
Habitat
In 2013, MUCC piloted the On the Ground (OTG) program for habitat improvement across the state of Michigan, geared toward benefiting the well-being of wildlife and local ecosystems. With the help of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, this program became wildly successful and continues to grow today, averaging about 26 events per year. These programs often occur on weekends for increased accessibility with the overall project determined by partner biologists, often including invasive species removal, ‘rabbitat’ building, river clean-ups, and planting native trees and wildflowers. Find out about upcoming events here. The program also works with 5th through 12th-grade students across the state to improve habitat locally and spark interest for future generations in the world of conservation. Since the inception of the program, OTG has engaged over 5,800 volunteers, improved over 4,400 acres of habitat, and planted over 34,000 trees and shrubs across the state.
Youth Education
The Michigan Out-of-Doors Youth Camp has hosted 59,000 youth since 1946. Each week at the camp has a different focus, including conservation, hunting (including hunter’s safety courses), fishing, and survival skills. This program is critical to the perpetuation of future generations’ interest in the conservation of Michigan’s natural resources and hunting heritage. If you have an interest in donating specifically to the youth camp, take a look at the wishlist for supplies necessary during the camp season.
Communications
MUCC has published the Michigan Out-of-Doors magazine since 1947 as a journal discussing current topics in the hunter and angler communities and relaying organizational updates. To sign up for a magazine subscription, simply become a member of MUCC. In addition to this long-term publication, MUCC also publishes the TRACKS magazine geared toward 4th through 6th-grade students. Eight issues are published each month of the school year, focusing on a unique Michigan animal. Subscriptions are quick and easy to sign your child up for, and receive each publication directly to your home with the option of expanding to sponsor your child's entire classroom for the year. In addition to our publications, MUCC launched its own Michigan Out-of-Doors podcast in 2015, where special guests ranging from hunters and anglers to lawmakers speak on conservation issues and their work.
How Can You Help?
MUCC is the largest statewide conservation organization in the nation. However, our successes require support from over 40,000 hunters, anglers, trappers, conservationists, and over 200 affiliated clubs around the state to continue our work in conservation programs. Supporting the organization takes many different forms, with benefits along the way.
Donate
Donations are a key component of the organization's longevity, with no minimum contributions. The Conservation Champions program was established to encourage recurring donations to give back to each of our programs and ensure hunting, fishing, and trapping traditions thrive for future generations. Monthly giving offers flexible, tax-deductible donation intervals, and participants also gain access to exclusive member perks and behind-the-scenes updates. Additionally, these recurring donations are automatic to prevent the hassle of remembering to donate to conservation each month, along with the ease of pausing the frequency. MUCC also holds the Gun-a-Month and Great Outdoors Sweepstakes in which a donation can enter you for a chance to win great prizes, simply call 517-371-1041 to enter. If you would like to specifically encourage young generations to spark interest in Michigan conservation, consider donating as part of our TRACKS magazine classroom scholarship program for a class in need.
Membership & Benefits
Annual memberships for MUCC allow individuals and clubs to become active participants in Michigan’s conservation community. Through membership, MUCC creates a platform for individuals and clubs to propose conservation policy resolutions, driving the direction of MUCC through your voice. In addition to an amplified voice in policy, members receive a subscription to the quarterly Michigan Out-of-Doors magazine and benefits with our partners, including:
- 3-month free Elite Trail for new members, 1 month free for current members, or 20% off ANY OnX membership,
- 10% off Dunham’s Sports,
- 1 free hour of range time at Centershot Gun Range,
- 10% off Domain Outdoors,
- 20% off GK World Championship Calls,
- 25% off Giant Mouse Knives,
- 20% off WM Bayou,
- 15% off Slide Shot, and
- 15% off Deer Camp Coffee
Fundraisers
MUCC hosts a variety of events across the state to help raise funds for our programs. Upcoming events include the Mike Avery Outdoors Charity Golf Outing (West Branch), Michigan Out-of-Doors Youth Camp Charity Shoot (Commerce Township), and Rooster Ranch Bonanza (Ubly). These events are fun ways to donate, get involved in the community, network with others, and support the mission of Michigan United Conservation Clubs.
Stay Connected
Recent Posts
On Saturday, June 21, 2025, MUCC’s On the Ground program partnered with the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute (PCCI) for a native plug planting day in Barry County. Located on 850 acres, the institute offers both environmental education opportunities and serves as a biological field station for conducting research. Many diverse native communities from wetlands to prairies are present at PCCI, and many rare or threatened species in Michigan like the eastern box turtle call the institute home.
Conservationists from across the state meet to discuss the future of Natural Resource Policy
Challenges for this bird did not stop over time; in fact, chemical runoff of DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) may have been one of the most significant hurdles for the bald eagle, leading to the near extinction of the species.