Brush Hour! Reese Middle School Volunteers Remove Invasive Vegetation and Build Brush Piles at Denmark Township State Game Area

Americorps • May 22, 2023

On Wednesday, May 10, 32 students and faculty from the Reese Middle School Out-of-Doors Club participated in MUCC’s On the Ground Jr. program. Students cleared invasive vegetation from Denmark Township State Game Area and built brush piles as part of a grassland improvement project.

This grassland is home to various wildlife from ring-necked pheasants and wild turkeys to songbirds and pollinators. The area is inaccessible by machinery so management requires a more hands-on approach. Volunteers used hand saws and loppers to cut down shrubs and used them to create brush piles. MUCC staff also treated the stumps with herbicide to prevent any shrub regeneration.

Two volunteers from Reese Middle School work to cut down an invasive autumn olive bush.

In just three hours of habitat work, volunteers constructed 5 large brush piles, helping restore and improve 7 acres of habitat on public land.

There are multiple opportunities to get involved with MUCC’s On The Ground program this spring. Our next open event is on Saturday, June 10 in Luce County. Volunteers will help plant mast-producing trees in the Newberry Forest

Management Unit. If you’re interested in viewing our upcoming events, please click HERE for more information.

Recent Posts

By Olivia Triltsch April 23, 2026
On Saturday, April 18, 2026, MUCC’s OTG program partnered with the Clinton River Watershed Council and Metro-West Steelheaders to host the annual Clinton River clean-up at Yates Park. Volunteers removed about 270 pounds of trash from the riverbanks and the surrounding watershed. Approximately 80.3 acres of fish and wildlife habitat were directly impacted by this project, in addition to improving local outdoor recreational opportunities. Cleaning up the watershed is critical for ensuring safe drinking water, safe recreation, and a clean habitat for fish and wildlife alike.
By Olivia Triltsch April 16, 2026
MUCC’s On the Ground (OTG) will be in the northern lower peninsula in late spring to improve habitat for wildlife. Volunteers are needed on Saturday, April 25th, from 8 AM to 12 PM and Saturday, May 3rd, from 9 AM to 2 PM to plant trees across Crawford County. These projects will take place rain or shine, except in the event of severe weather, so please dress accordingly. All registered volunteers will receive lunch and a free appreciation gift for their efforts.
By Olivia Triltsch April 9, 2026
Oaks are a critical tree species for wildlife in Michigan as they provide food, cover, and long-term habitat in forests, field edges, and public lands. Both red oaks and white oaks are native to Michigan, but there are differences in management between the species, making an impact on conservation and hunting success. The growth patterns are important to understand when planning for land management due to variation in growth, acorn production (mast), and wildlife use.
More Posts