On the Ground Junior Hosts its Biggest Project Yet

Katelyn Helsel • May 14, 2025

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. 


Students got a Head Start on Improving Wildlife Habitat

When the students first arrived at Island Lake Recreation Area, they were ready and excited to get their hands dirty improving wildlife habitat. Students were split into four predetermined groups to rotate around different stations, each with a wildlife conservation focus. The stations included removing invasive garlic mustard & building brush piles, a wildlife identification activity, nature journaling with arts and crafts, and archery lessons. 

Over the course of the two-day period, students removed more than 50 large bags of garlic mustard and built several brush piles throughout the recreation area. Their wildlife identification skills were cultivated through the wildlife ID station, and their hand-eye coordination skills were improved through archery lessons. Participating in nature journaling and arts & crafts allowed students a break from their hard work improving habitat while exploring their creativity.


In total, students improved approximately 18 acres of wildlife habitat directly through this project.

 

Thank You

For all DNR staff that were involved, thank you very much for your planning, coordination, and technical efforts. Your support is a big reason why this was such a successful and impactful event! Working with a multitude of like-minded folks from different divisions allows us to further our reach and help inspire the next generation of young conservationists, all while improving critical wildlife habitat on Michigan’s public lands for hunters, anglers, and recreationists to enjoy.


If you are a schoolteacher interested in organizing an OTG Jr event with us, please contact our Habitat Program and Partnerships Coordinator Olivia Triltsch at otriltsch@mucc.org. These projects fill up quickly, so don’t wait! We would love to help you foster the next generation of public land stewards. 


To stay connected with all things MUCC, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. 

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