The Department of Natural Resources and the Ruffed Grouse Society recently spent a day afield improving wildlife habitat by planting apple trees.
“I love work days like this,” said DNR wildlife biologist Bruce Barlow. “Great relationships start and continue when you are working outdoors in the dirt side by side with your partners.”
Barlow, stationed at the Gladwin DNR office and manager of the Lame Duck Foot Access Area, has worked hard to keep the area primed for the user. This area in Gladwin County features thousands of acres of public land that many hunters, trappers and wildlife viewers use every year.
“Years ago, this whole area was private farms, although they weren’t successful because of the soils and high water table,” said Barlow. “If you come across any old apple trees out here, it’s from that time.”
More than 35 new apple trees were planted next to existing wildlife openings, where the bark, buds, twigs, leaves and fruit all will be used by a variety of wildlife. Apple trees provide a year-round food source but are particularly important in the winter, when many uneaten apples remain hanging on the tree rather than dropping off early or disappearing under the snow.
Nineteen volunteers from around the area, including H. H. Dow High School teacher Brent Chambers and a dozen of his students from the H. H. Dow High Conservation Club in Midland, helped with the planting.
“Seeing the younger generations help wildlife made this an enjoyable Saturday,” said Stan Strugala, a local Ruffed Grouse Society member who spent time digging holes for trees.
“I love work days like this,” said DNR wildlife biologist Bruce Barlow. “Great relationships start and continue when you are working outdoors in the dirt side by side with your partners.”
