On the Ground: Volunteers Improve Critical Reptile Habitat in Barry County with Pierce Cedar Creek Institute

Kristina Kennedy • November 3, 2022

Volunteers gathered on Saturday morning at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute’s Research Lab on Cloverdale Road in Hastings.

On Saturday, October 29, 2022, 22 volunteers joined MUCC’s OTG program and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute (PCCI) in removing invasive woody vegetation from critical reptile habitat in Barry County. Volunteers gathered at PCCI’s Research Lab building in Hastings on the foggy and frosty fall morning. After signing-in, they got an introduction to their work site and the species that will benefit from the vegetation removal project. Volunteers promptly got to work sawing, cutting, and stacking invasive autumn olive that’s encroaching on critical reptile habitat in this region. 

This project took place in oak woodland/prairie fen habitat that’s sought-after by many reptile species, including eastern massasauga rattlesnakes and eastern box turtles. Prairie fens are a type of wetland with nutrient rich soils that support a wide range of plant species. The transition zone from fen to oak woodland provides these cold-blooded vertebrates the perfect summer breeding and nesting grounds. 

Volunteers went afield with chainsaws and loppers in tow on Saturday. Invasive autumn olive shrubs were the invasive species of focus in this unique prairie fen habitat.

The eastern massasauga rattlesnake is listed as “threatened” under the US Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Act and the eastern box turtle is considered a “species of special concern” in the state of Michigan. The populations of these two species have been declining throughout their range due to fragmentation and loss of suitable breeding and nesting habitat. By removing woody invasives like autumn olive, volunteers helped create a fire break that will be used during a prescribed burn in the future. Fire is a natural process that historically occurred in this prairie fen – fires here help keep the vegetation open, reduce shrub and tree cover, and encourage reproduction of many native plant species. Prescribed fires will only be completed when snakes are inactive to prevent potential loss of reptiles that inhabit the area. 

In total, volunteers improved about 1 acre of wildlife habitat and helped create a firebreak that will allow for future habitat restoration activities. Keep a lookout for more opportunities to volunteer with OTG and PCCI in the spring of 2023!

Recent Posts

On the Ground: Jack Pine Planting Day 2026

By Olivia Triltsch • May 7, 2026
On Saturday, May 2, 2026, a group of dedicated volunteers joined Kirtland's Warbler Alliance, Huron Pines, Saginaw Children’s Zoo, and MUCC's OTG program in planting approximately 4,800 jack pine saplings within the Grayling Forest Management Unit in Crawford County. Jack pines are a critical nesting habitat feature for the once-threatened Kirtland’s warbler. In total, volunteers directly impacted about 7 acres of land were prepared by the Michigan DNR for this planting to allow volunteers to maximize their efforts across the land. This is one of our annual events that is perfect for helpers of all ages and interests.

MUCC Announces Dissolution After Nearly 90 Years of Conservation Advocacy

May 4, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) announces its decision to dissolve after nearly 90 years of conservation advocacy, citing ongoing financial challenges and outlining next steps in an orderly wind-down process.

On the Ground: Trees and Trash in Grayling Forest Management Unit

By Olivia Triltsch • April 30, 2026
On Saturday, April 25, 2026, MUCC's On the Ground program partnered with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Ruffed Grouse Society, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers for a crabapple tree planting and dump site clean-up event in the Grayling Forest Management Unit. Volunteers worked as a team to plant, compost, mulch, and fence 25 eight-foot trees at various locations in Crawford County on the public lands to offer forage for wildlife. Many species, like grouse, turkey, and deer, utilize mast-producing trees for food when other resources are not available. These trees were planted along an old logging road for both game and non-game wildlife, while enhancing the local recreational opportunities. Another group of volunteers branched off to remove trash from three dump sites on public land in Kalkaska County, which included couches, mattresses, shingles, and tires. Volunteers filled a 30-yard dumpster with trash found in the landscape in an attempt to keep the environment better than how it was found while improving future recreational opportunities. In total, volunteers directly enhanced 2.1 acres of wildlife habitat through this project.
More Posts