OTG: 3,900 Oak Trees Panted at Barry State Game Area

Americorps • April 30, 2019

On Friday, April 19 th , Consumers Energy joined MUCC for yet another OTG project on Friday. There were a total of 20 Consumers Energy employees from areas around the southwest region. What was unique about the volunteers was that not all were from the same department or even facility. They had several retired Consumers Energy employees show up to serve as well. Other volunteers came out to OTG that morning, including one from Pfizer out of Portage, MI and one from Charles River Laboratories out of Mattawan, MI. All the volunteers had positive attitudes and were eager to get to work.

Wildlife biologist, Randy Heinze, manages the Barry State Game Area near Hastings, MI. Recently, Randy organized a prescribed burn on a 100-acre woodlot in the game area. The purpose was to clear upthe duff layer and other woody brushes to allow a better growing opportunity for several species of oak trees. Oak trees produce a hard mast that is beneficial to wildlife in the area. They produce acorns which are rich in nutrition for many animals. Oak loving animals include whitetail deer, turkeys, squirrels, chipmunks, wood ducks, rabbits and many others.

After everyone had arrived, we did a short introduction and explained the project to the volunteers. Randy had purchased 5,000 oak tree saplings with the intention of planting about 800. Each volunteer grabbed a spade (tree planting tool) or a shovel and marched off with several bundles of saplings under their arms. With all 22 volunteers in the woods, plus MUCC and DNR staff, we covered a lot of ground. Each volunteer was informed on how to properly plant the saplings because the root systems of the oak saplings might not grow as well if not placed in the ground strategically. Aftera short lunch break, the majority of the volunteers worked until 2 pm, bringing our total numbers of oak trees planted to be around 3,900. This number exceeded the projected 800 saplings we had set at the beginning. This type of dedication and hard work does not go unnoticed and the oak tree survival rate ultimately increased due to those efforts by our volunteers.

Thank you to Randy, Pfizer and Charles River Laboratories. Another special thank you to the Consumers Energy Foundation for not only providing volunteers but also for providing funds for the project. Each volunteer contributed directly to wildlife habitat on public lands. OTG hopes to build many more partnerships with other organizations and companies in the future.

Recent Posts

New Partnership: Certified Wildlife Habitat with National Wildlife Federation

By Olivia Triltsch • October 23, 2025
Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) is proud to announce a new partnership with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) to bring the Certified Wildlife Habitat ™ program to communities across Michigan. This collaboration connects MUCC’s long-standing commitment to conservation with NWF’s national effort to create, restore, and certify habitats that provide food, water, cover, and places to raise young. Together, the organizations aim to inspire individuals, schools, and communities to take action in their own backyards to support native species. Through this initiative, MUCC will help expand awareness of the Certified Wildlife Habitat program, integrate it into its volunteer network, and provide resources to landowners interested in enhancing habitat on their property. One of the greatest benefits for volunteers comes from the knowledge gained in understanding wildlife habitat enhancement, allowing for the application to private land habitat enhancement. In addition to this, much of the work we do for habitat can apply to a variety of species, from rabbits to wood ducks, even birds of prey. The partnership will also promote community engagement opportunities through educational events, workshops, and collaborative restoration projects. In coordination with efforts like the certified wildlife habitat, MUCC hopes to expand conservation efforts across Michigan. Our award-winning, statewide volunteer habitat program, On the Ground (OTG), works to conserve, protect, and enhance wildlife habitat. In 2025 alone, OTG worked with 739 volunteers across 27 habitat projects, from invasive species removal to river clean-ups. Through the hard work contributing over 2,900 volunteer hours, habitat stewards were able to improve 423 acres of land for wildlife conservation in Michigan. Although OTG projects are not active year-round, we encourage Michigan residents to continue land stewardship on both public and private lands. To qualify for certification through the Certified Wildlife Habitat program, a property must include: Three natural food sources One water source Two places for shelter Two places to raise young Two sustainable practices To determine if your habitat qualifies, visit the NWF website and take the habitat quiz or download the checklist. If your habitat needs native plants, check out Garden for Wildlife to find species native to your area. The $25 application fee includes a personalized paper certificate, a 1-year NWF membership, and the option to purchase lawn plaques and garden flags. Habitats located on school grounds do not have a fee to get certified, so check to see what you might need to qualify today. If you are interested in joining our On the Ground program for the 2026 season, stay connected through our Facebook , Instagram , and OTG webpage for upcoming events.

On the Ground Junior: Fall Event Recap

By Olivia Triltsch • October 16, 2025
In 2025, the On the Ground program conducted 8 junior projects with schools involving 316 students from across the state. From tree plantings to invasive species removal, these students worked to enhance 39.3 acres of public land after contributing over 200 volunteer hours. Visit our website to learn more information about our On the Ground program and On the Ground Junior . To wrap up the 2025 field season, the On the Ground program worked with two classrooms to enhance wildlife habitat and recreational access. Junior programs like these allow teachers to get their students out of the classroom and into hands-on learning about the importance of habitat work while meeting individuals in the field.

October NRC Recap

By Justin Tomei • October 9, 2025
The Natural Resources Commission met today, Thursday, October 9th for their October meeting. The commission reaffirmed its intent to allow for lethal year-round coyote management on public and private land via a unanimously passed resolution before passing fisheries orders, and tabling more for consideration in November. The commission passed Fisheries Orders 210.26 , and 254.25 before tabling 206.26, 219.26 , and 253.26 . Commissioner John Walters provided an amendment to the fisheries order to expand underwater spearfishing opportunities to most of the Great Lakes, allowing for some spatial closures for the protection of particularly sensitive areas. The commission took steps to make good on their promise to allow year-round coyote management, unanimously passing a resolution more clearly stating their intent and what the pending wildlife conservation order will look like. The next meeting is Thursday November 6 in Lansing.
More Posts