| Year | Grantee name | Project title | Project description | Project county | Grant amount awarded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Brian Kendall | Manistee County Wildlife Enhancement for Whitetail Deer, Turkeys, Rabbits, & Ruffed Grouse | Maintain and expand both hard mast producing and soft mast producing tree species, restore areas with both warm season grasses and cool season/legume mixtures in several areas including some where bracken ferns have become invasive. As a result there will be a healthier more sustainable wildlife population in an area with significant state and federal game areas therefore benefiting anyone utilizing these areas in outdoor recreation. | Manistee | $45,800 |
| 2024 | Gratiot Conservation District | Gratiot-Saginaw and Maple River State Game Area Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Project | Revitalize wildlife openings through planting wildflowers, warm season grasses, treating invasive species, and mowing openings on the Gratiot-Saginaw and Maple River State Game Areas. | Gratiot | $45,300 |
| 2024 | Edward Thomas | Luce County Rain Garden and Pollinator Field for Protection of Tahquamenon Watershed | The goal of this project is to establish a flourishing 14000 square foot rain garden and 10 acres pollinator field in Luce County adjacent to County Road 466. The deliverables will be a fertilized, planted, and maintained rain garden comprised of native, mature plants to ensure they thrive. This project will filter storm water, improve water quality, minimize soil erosion and provide immediate habitat and a haven for multiple species of Michigan’s rare, threatened, and endangered species. | Luce | $73,100 |
| 2024 | Oakland Hunt Club | Oakland Hunt Club Wildlife Habitat Grant 2024 | The Oakland hunt club project consist of planting and maintaining grassland larger that 250 acres. Planting a variety of trees including White Oak, Beech, Walnut, Jack pine and red pine. The grasslands and jack pine will provide cover and restore wintering complexes for wildlife and improve connectivity. We plan to plant and protect large quantities of varies ages of mast trees to assist in the reforestation of our 3000 acres which has been heavily impacted by the red oak wilt disease. | Oakland | $87,200 |
| 2024 | Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve, Inc. | Ensuring Wildlife Habitat in the Yellow Dog River Community Forest | This YDWP project will enhance wildlife habitat in a 160-acre parcel of the Yellow Dog River Community Forest near the Harlow Lake deer wintering complex by increasing mast producing trees, increasing food sources, and creating areas of aspen regeneration for the benefit of deer, Gold-winged Warblers, Ruffed Grouse and more. | Marquette | $25,700 |
| 2024 | James Borowiak | HAC Hunting Property | Install perennial food plots and vegetation including planting hardwood and apple trees. Assist surrounding farmer damage and enhance deer and turkey populations. | Genesee | $19,300 |
| 2024 | American Bird Conservancy | Norwich GEMS Non-Commercial Habitat Management | American Bird Conservancy (ABC) has partnered with the Ottawa National Forest to improve habitat for at-risk wildlife species. ABC is working around the Norwich GEMS in Ontonagon County to promote young forest habitat and mast producing trees for forest songbird species. ABC has identified several locations to release oak trees and clearcut stands of aspen to benefit the Ruffed grouse, American woodcock, and the Golden-winged Warbler. | Fauquier | $35,700 |
| 2024 | Kent Conservation District | Rogue River SGA Oak Regeneration, Edge Habitat Enhancement and Wetland Restoration Project | Rogue River State Game Area is a highly accessible multi-use area in Kent County, MI presenting geographically unique habitat and found to support a vast diversity of game wildlife and Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). Restoration on 210 acres of mixed oak-aspen forests, edge habitat and vulnerable wetlands will promote sustainable wildlife-compatible recreation while protecting the integrity of the Rogue River headwaters and accompanying natural areas for generations to come. | Kent | $77,300 |
| 2024 | Muskegon Conservation District | MCD Parcel Habitat Improvement | Enhancement of approximately 10 acres of land on a larger 456 acres of property owned by the Muskegon Conservation District. This would be done through the installation of food plot, native grasses, and seedling plantings. | Muskegon | $36,600 |
| 2024 | Vetowich Family Investment Co. LLC | Wildlife Habitat Improvement | 228 acres in Forest Management under USDA and managed by Martell Forestry Inc. Fifty acres cut, with another fifty in the works. Plans to plant over 200-5' mast trees with balled roots including: Swamp White, Bur, Bur Gambel Oaks, Hickory, Shagbark, Chestnut, Apple, Crabapple and Pear. Also Elderberry and Chokeberry shrubs, 400 Norway Pine seedlings and 20+ acres of grasses-Switchgrass, Bluestem, Oats , Birdsfoot Trefoil. White Clover, Red Clover and Sorghum. |
Oakland | $56,500 |
| 2024 | Huron Pines | Holistic Management of Pine Barrens Systems within the Mio Plateau | The purpose is to implement holistic management on state-owned pine barrens systems within the Mio Plateau. Pine barrens are a state imperiled (S2) savanna community characterized by sparse pine overstory and diverse groundcover. This application proposes actions that maintain open structure, enhance floral diversity, and expand pine barrens habitat. | Otsego | $148,200 |
| 2024 | Escanaba River Lodge LLC | Increase Abundance and Diversity of Animal and Bird Species | The following list projects in order of priority: 1. Restore/improve four wildlife food plots. 2. Reduce trail erosion and property connectivity. 3. Plant fruit tree and bush orchard. 4. Repair Pond dam to eliminate flooding of waterfowl and grouse habitat lowlands. |
Livingston | $44,500 |
| 2024 | The Ruffed Grouse Society | Upper Peninsula Wildland Enhancement Project | This project is a broad-based habitat improvement effort that will benefit game and non-game wildlife species across the Upper Peninsula. Focusing on a variety of cover-types, the aim is to improve the quality of habitat in the region as well as access for recreational users. | Mackinac | $207,000 |
| 2024 | Clinton Conservation District | Clinton County State Game Area Rabbit, Pheasant, and Pollinator Enhancement Project Phase 2 | The Clinton Conservation District will be enhancing a diverse grassland habitat that has been managed since 2016. This project will establish and/or enhance at least 77.5 acres of quality grassland to promote habitat for ground nesting birds and small game species. This project occurs in two different State Game Areas and aligns with the goals for the DNR’s southwest region as well as the priority geographic unit in the management document for cottontail. | Clinton | $37,900 |
| 2024 | Chikaming Open Lands | Grassland Habitat Maintenance and Restoration in Southern Berrien County, Michigan | We will maintain and restore grassland habitat across three sites totaling 116 acres in Berrien County, Michigan. One site is a remnant wet prairie that we will expand by reverting shrubland to grassland to benefit the eastern massasauga rattlesnake. Two other sites are restored prairies and a savanna managed for grassland wildlife by burning, thinning trees, and diversifying forbs. Outreach events at these properties will highlight how to manage land for a diverse array of wildlife species. | Berrien | $51,100 |
| 2024 | ODC Network | Early Succession Forest at Local Nature Preserve | ODC Network aims to convert a 7.5-acre dormant blueberry field into an early succession forest by planting 4,000 trees, encompassing 12 different species. This new ecosystem, integrating with a 186-acre nature preserve, will serve as a vital habitat for insects and birds in a predominantly agricultural and industrial area. | Allegan | $22,900 |
| 2024 | Sustainable Resources Institute | Enhancing Conifer Habitat for Deer and other Wildlife | This project will expand efforts to maintain, repair, rehabilitate, regenerate, and recover Upper Peninsula (UP) Deer Wintering Complexes (DWC) by conducting habitat improvements on 139.32 acres of projects in 5 counties across the UP. Habitat improvements will improve winter shelter by conducting conifer tree planting projects. | Iron | $146,100 |
| 2023 | The Wilds, LLC | Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Along South Branch AuSable River | Wildlife habitat development for deer, turkey, grouse, woodcock on a 160-acre property with more than one mile of AuSable River South Branch shoreline and 1.25 miles bordering the Roscommon Forest Management Unit. Management techniques include clear cuts, planting oaks, apple trees, berries, and shrubs, selective herbiciding, mowing openings in existing thick shrubs, trail cutting and planting, and planting small food plots. | Oakland | $15,100 |
| 2023 | Michigan Nature Association | Restoring Globally Rare Grassland Habitats on Saginaw Bay | Restore the globally rare grassland habitats of Saginaw Wetlands Nature Sanctuary on Saginaw Bay with the goal of sustaining the diverse game and non-game wildlife populations on the sanctuary and adjacent Wildfowl Bay State Wildlife Area. | Huron | $24,000 |
| 2023 | Vaughn White | Environmental Wildlife Support and Refuge Project | Controlled burns, land clearing, creation of shelter piles, tree plantings, and maintaining food plots will enrich federal and township land adjacent to these private properties and will improve habitat for three State Special Concern wildlife species. | Oceana | $17,900 |
| 2023 | Ducks Unlimted | St. Clair Flats - Harsens Island East Marsh Pump Replacement | Enhance habitat for waterfowl and Black Terns. Improve 1,460 acres by installing a new bi-direction pump for water level management. | St. Clair County | $250,000 |
| 2023 | Conservation Resource Alliance | Restoring Early Successional Habitat and Food Sources for Game Species | Conservation Resource Alliance will work with the Forest Service, conservation districts, private landowners, volunteers, and wildlife advocacy chapters to implement native plantings and non-commercial aspen and alder regeneration cuts to restore and enhance ecosystems in northwest Lower Michigan. The project will create more connectivity and diversity across landscapes near waterbodies in our region. | Grand Traverse | $62,400 |
| 2023 | John Grebe | Manage Habitat for Sustainable Wildlife Populations and Wildlife Benefits | Provide habitat for American Woodcock, Golden-winged Warbler and white-tailed deer populations. Build on past habitat improvement work, including restoration of early successional forests and herbaceous openings by restoring new aspen and tag alder regeneration and removing woody vegetation encroachment in grassy field areas. Provide soft and hard mast by planting crabapple trees and restoring existing old scattered apple and oak trees. |
Emmet | $17,500 |
| 2023 | Bierhagen Hunt Club, LLC | Former Beaverton Township Dump Habitat Restoration | Revitalize a former dump site to create wildlife habitat and food sources. In addition to improving the habitat, this organization partnered with a youth adventure club and engaged many students in outdoor activities including teaching and mentoring future outdoor enthusiasts on food source management, habitat development, and population monitoring. | Saginaw | $42,700 |
| 2023 | Menominee County Pheasant Club | Upland Habitat Establishment and Enhancement | Develop 10 acres of wildlife plots within an 80-acre parcel by establishing wildflower, tallgrasses, and cover for upland and other species while creating and enhancing public access. | Menominee | $26,400 |
| 2023 | Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society | Big Wild Habitat Improvement Project | Broad-based habitat improvement project that benefits game and non-game wildlife species on the Pigeon River Country State Forest. Maintenance of upland and lowland habitats through mechanical site prep, prescribed fire, tree and shrub planting, and creating non-forested openings. Focal species include elk, white-tailed deer, turkey, and Ruffed Grouse. Special attention will be given to American Woodcock through alder and brush management. | Otsego | $93,500 |
| 2023 | Barens Brother's, LLC | Barens Brother's Habitat Improvement | Creating openings on 187 acres for planting spruce, pine, white cedar, oak, switchgrass, apples trees and various soft mast-producing shrubs to benefit birds, white-tailed deer, and small mammals. Replanting wildlife food plots with white clover and beans and cutting mature aspen to promote regeneration. |
Mackinac | $28,000 |
| 2023 | American Bird Conservancy | Integrating Forest Management and Bird Habitat in Michigan Phase II | The Forestry for Michigan Birds (FMB) program has developed guides and information designed to help professionals and the public understand and manage forests to benefit forest birds. This project brings together several partners to implement on-the-ground projects in oak forest and savannah habitat that align with FMB’s goals. Projects include planting trees, prescribed burning, forest stand improvement, and more. Each project targets habitat that will benefit local wildlife species of concern. | Barry | $294,300 |
| 2023 | Superior Watershed Partnership | Removing Barriers to Habitat Connectivity in Presque Isle Park | The Superior Watershed Partnership in cooperation with the City of Marquette will remove barriers to habitat connectivity for blue-spotted salamanders (Abystoma laterale ) and other amphibians during their annual spring migration to wetland breeding grounds in 323-acre Presque Isle Park. |
Marquette | $27,700 |
| 2023 | Sands Creek Conservation Club, Inc. | Sands Creek Multi Species Habitat Improvement near Harrietta, Michigan | Enhance and improve the quality and quantity of wildlife habitat by creating peninsulas of travel and bedding cover across open fields consisting of soft mast-producing trees and shrubs and switchgrass, planting and maintaining approximately seven acres of alfalfa and bedding/cover plots of switchgrass, mulching existing stumps to promote early successional aspen growth and woodcock habitat, creating numerous brush piles to benefit rabbits and other small animals, and installing nest boxes for songbirds. | Wexford | $16,300 |
| 2023 | Pheasants Forever | Southern MI Early Successional Habitat Restoration Partnership |
Restore 182 acres of pheasant and woodcock habitat on six state game areas throughout Zone 3. |
Gratiot | $138,200 |
| 2023 | Kalamazoo Conservation District | Oak Habitat Improvement in the Gourdneck State Game Area | Provide oak management on 60 acres within Gourdneck State Game Area. Selected shade tolerant red maples and invasive understory will be cut and treated while leaving the oak mast trees. Opening the forest canopy and clearing out the undesirable undergrowth should allow shade intolerant oak regeneration and promote growth of the suppressed native herbaceous layer. Converting the closed canopy oak forest to less dense oak woodland habitat will benefit game and non-game wildlife. | Kalamazoo | $99,600 |
| 2022 | Huron Pines | Enhancing Connectivity and Wildlife Habitat in the Pigeon River Country | Expand wildlife conservation efforts across 180 acres through implementing management techniques that will enhance native prairie, savanna, and early successional forest ecosystems in the Pigeon River Country State Forest and adjacent landscapes. Actions include native plantings, maintaining open habitats and community engagement opportunities and will result in greater diversity, connectivity, and benefits to wildlife. | Otsego | $188,100 |
| 2022 | ToppLand, LLC | Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Marquette County | Improve approximately 10 acres of expanded conifer cover and approximately two miles of trails planted with mast-producing shrubs and trees on a private property located in Marquette County. These habitat enhancements benefit multiple game species on the property including, but not limited to: white-tailed deer, black bear, turkey, Ruffed Grouse, showshoe hare, and cottontail rabbit. | Marquette | $20,100 |
| 2022 | Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society | Pere Marquette Forest Wildlife Habitat Collaborative | The Pere Marquette Forest Wildlife Habitat Collaborative is a group of conservation partners that are seeking to leverage efforts and dollars to grow wildlife habitat outcomes on and off Forest Service lands within the Pere Marquette Watershed. Leveraging resources, the partnership will manage wildlife habitat at scale, across a wide range of forested and non-forested conditions that will address a wide variety of both game and non-game wildlife, forest recreation, and forest health issues. |
Mason | $198,900 |
| 2022 | Sustainable Resources Institute, Inc. | Deer Wintering Complex Enhancement 2022 | Expand efforts to maintain, repair, rehabilitate, regenerate, and recover UP deer wintering complexes by conducting habitat improvements on 241 acres of land across the UP. Habitat improvements such as conifer tree plantings will improve winter/thermal cover for white-tailed deer. | Iron | $174,600 |
| 2022 | Muskegon Conservation District | Opening Enhancement and Habitat Improvement for Ottawa State Game Areas | Enhancement of approximately 58 acres of wildlife habitat on 315 acres of state-managed public land including wetland habitat improvements, wildlife openings, planting of hard and soft mast, and the creation of rabbit habitat to provide better habitat for wildlife and improve hunting opportunities for the public. | Ottawa | $104,000 |
| 2022 | Brian Livingston | Wildlife Habitat Restoration in Haslett, Michigan | Provide improved ponds, reinforced waterways, established grass lands, grazing prairies, early successional aspen forests, and improve established hard mast trees while developing a new generation of oak and establishing year-round sustainable food sources for multiple species. | Ingham | $18,500 |
| 2022 | Land Ethics, LLC | Johnson Lake Area Habitat Improvement Phase II | Establish 36.5 acres of high quality perennial food plots, maintain 22 acres of recently established food plots, enhance 94.5 acres of native herbaceous openings, regenerate 18.5 acres of early successional forest edge and low-land brush habitat, create 350 brush piles, plant and protect 200 mature fruit trees, and improve 2.5 acres of logging trails to provide a wildlife corridor and habitat connectivity. |
Kalkaska | $119,100 |
| 2022 | Stephen Franks | Pheasant and Deer Habitat Enhancement and Fen Restoration | Develop contiguous pheasant habitat from switchgrass prairie uplands through grassland fens and into shallow wetlands. Enhance deer habitat by conducting oak and hickory release and shrub removal to promote regeneration of mast-producing species. | Calhoun | $132,200 |
| 2022 | Pheasants Forever | Thumb Region Grasslands | Restore 76 acres and enhance 60 acres of quality grassland habitat for pheasants and other grassland wildlife by improving diverse grasslands, enhancing woody winter cover, and improving habitat connectivity on four priority state game areas in Michigan's Thumb region. | Tuscola | $89,800 |
| 2022 | National Wild Turkey Federation | Enhancing Pine Barrens and Wildlife Openings across Northern Michigan Phase II | In partnership with the Michigan DNR, US Forest Service, and Army National Guard, enhance 631 acres of oak-pine barrens and forest wildlife openings on state and federal lands across six northern Michigan counties. | Mason, Lake, Manistee, Crawford, Otsego and Oscoda | $277,000 |
| 2022 | National Audubon Society/Audubon Great Lakes | Phase II: St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area Wetland Restoration for Waterfowl and Marsh Birds | Enhance habitat conditions for waterfowl, marsh birds, and Black Terns at St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area by reducing cattail monoculture and improving hemi-marsh conditions. This will be accomplished by mowing five, 5-acre pockets in the East Marsh Unit in such a manner that mimics muskrat feeding behavior where cut debris is left floating and intact, in an effort to provide nesting and cover material for focal marsh bird and waterfowl species. | Wayne | $144,700 |
| 2021 | C4 Ranch, LLC | Native Savannah Restoration | Restoration of 15 acres to native savannah through removal of existing decaying pine forest. Young aspen, hardwoods, and fruit bearing trees will be preserved and native grasses, forbs, and legumes will be cultivated in new open areas. | Van Buren | $20,300 |
| 2021 | Lenawee Conservation District | Somerset State Game Area Habitat Improvement Project | Somerset State Game Area in southeast Michigan is one of few public hunting opportunities in the area. Grassland enhancement—including tree and shrub removal, conversion to prairie plants, brush piles and a food plot—on the 36-acre wildlife refuge will benefit waterfowl production, native insects, grassland birds and rabbits. | Lenawee | $40,500 |
| 2021 | Huron Pines | Cohesive Habitat Management Across Northern Michigan's Heartland | Implement management actions across public and private ownership to improve habitat within the jack pine barrens and dry northern forest ecosystem in Northern Michigan's Heartland resulting in greater diversity and a more natural landscape. Through maintaining openings and early successional habitat as well as native plantings, it is our goal to improve 260 acres for the benefit of game and non-game wildlife. | Ogemaw | $84,400 |
| 2021 | Sustainable Resources Institute, Inc. | Deer Wintering Complex Enhancement 2021 | This project will expand efforts to maintain, repair, rehabilitate, regenerate, and recover UP deer wintering complexes by conducting habitat improvements on 31 acres, impacting 643 acres across the UP. Habitat improvements will include increasing foods sources through wildlife openings and mast tree plantings. | Iron | $59,700 |
| 2021 | Jamie DeMann | Ruffed Grouse Habitat Revitalization | Increase Ruffed Grouse habitat by adding aspen, brush piles, and oak trees to a 20-acre site in Allegan, Michigan. White-tailed deer and rabbits will also benefit from these habitat enhancements. | Allegan | $15,300 |
| 2021 | Kent Conservation District | Cannonsburg State Game Area Oak and Aspen Habitat Restoration Project | Cannonsburg State Game Area (CSGA) is a heavily-used game area, recently logged with many remnant high quality components making it an ideal candidate for immediate restoration work directly benefiting wildlife, hunters, and recreational users. Goals entail enhancing oak savanna openings, protecting the CSGA aspen resource, and removing undesirable woody species throughout the area. | Kent | $31,500 |
| 2021 | Chippewa Nature Center | Chippewa Nature Center Wildlife Habitat Improvement | Chippewa Nature Center is located within the Saginaw Bay Watershed at the confluence of the Chippewa and Pine Rivers. A newly acquired 270-acre parcel with river frontage on the Chippewa River adds to the diversity of plants and animals found on the 1500 acres. Habitat improvements such as planting nut and fruiting trees and shrubs as well as winter coniferous cover, pollinator plantings, and creating forest openings will further enhance the property. | Midland | $46,600 |
| 2021 | National Wild Turkey Federation | West Michigan Oak Ecosystems Restoration Project | Enhance and restore 1,047 acres of oak ecosystems throughout eight west Michigan counties. We will work with state, federal, and non-governmental organizations to mimic natural disturbance to promote the health of oak ecosystems including oak forests, oak savannas, and oak barrens. | Newaygo | $358,200 |
| 2021 | Andrew Milia | Charlevoix County Wildlife Land Improvement Program | Enhance a 117-acre woodland property to improve wildlife habitat on the property and surrounding parcels. | Charlevoix | $43,400 |
| 2021 | Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society | Southern Michigan Woodcock Habitat | Treat nearly 80 acres across four different state game areas to provide quality roosting, feeding and breeding habitat for American Woodcock. Other wildlife species likely to benefit on one or more project sites include Ruffed Grouse, white-tailed deer, cottontail rabbits, and a variety of non-game species. Efforts will improve access for both hunting and wildlife viewing. | Tuscola, St. Clair, Lapeer and Ionia | $56,800 |
| 2021 | Conservation Resource Alliance | Wild Roots Growing Mast Producing Trees for Wildlife in High Snowfall Areas | Work with private landowners to plant and protect oak and cranberry seedlings to help improve wildlife habitat and mitigate future impacts of disease in the Norther Lower Peninsula. | Grand Traverse | $47,700 |
| 2021 | Eaton Conservation District | Potterville State Game Area Wetland Restoration and Wildlife Enhancement Phase I | Phase I will include converting agriculture fields into diverse grasslands and pollinator grasslands. Restore natural water levels in three drained or tiled areas to restore wetland areas. Develop 170 acres of quality habitat for pheasant, turkey, deer, rabbits, migratory and meadow nesting birds, and non-game songbirds. | Eaton | $89,400 |
| 2021 | John Grebe | Manage Habitat for Sustainable Wildlife Populations and Wildlife Based Recreation | Provide habitat for American Woodcock, Golden-winged Warbler and white-tailed deer populations. Habitat management techniques include restoration of early successional forests and herbaceous openings by restoring new aspen regeneration and removing woody vegetation encroachment in grassy field areas. Provide soft and hard mast through planting of crabapple and oak trees and restoration of old scattered apple trees by pruning and release from competing vegetation. | Cheboygan | $15,500 |
| 2021 | Pete LeBaron | Conversion of Trenched-for-Surface-Drainage 50-Acre Horse Pasture to Seasonal Wetlands | Convert 50 acres of trenched horse pasture into 20% permanent and 80% seasonal wetlands. | Saginaw | $70,000 |
| 2021 | Saginaw Conservation Distrct | Shiawassee River State Game Area Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Project Phase IV | Treat approximately 100 acres of grasslands to set back succession and increase legumes and forbs to provide nesting cover for Ring-necked Pheasants and increase legumes for brood rearing and browse for white-tailed deer. Plant and maintain 30 acres of food plots. | Saginaw | $21,000 |
| 2021 | Triad Investment Prop, LLC | A Community Approach to Private Lands Wildlife Habitat Improvement in Delta and Menominee Counties | Enhancing more than 700 acres of habitat to benefit mast crops, growing season food supplies, and maintain and enhance small clearings for wildlife. The main focus will be on planting, sheltering, and maintaining a diverse oak mast crop, as well as early fall apple production for wildlife, and growing season long browse forage in wildlife openings in existing forest cover. | Delta and Menominee | $43,200 |
| 2019 | Andrew Milia | Wildlife Habitat Improvement Plan | Improvement of land for wildlife habitat to benefit 117 acres and surrounding properties. | Oakland | $18,000 |
| 2019 | Brian Vilmont | Pentwater Township Habitat Enhancement |
Provide habitat for mulltiple specieis including deer, grouse, turkey, and rabbits. Includes pilot project for soil enhancement in sandy Oceana County soils. |
Oceana | $55,300 |
| 2019 | Austin Englehart | 100-Acre Habitat Restoration | Restoration of a 15-acre field through planting forbs, shrubs, trees, grasses. Restoration of 3,500 feet of river frontage for waterfowl habitat, as well as 80 acres of timber stand improvement, travel corridors, and hinge-cut bedding areas. Clear cuts for regeneration and herbaceous plantings including dogwood for white-tailed deer cover and nesting habitat. | Van Buren | $15,500 |
| 2019 | St. Joseph County Conservation District | Habitat Improvement in Three River State Game Area | Habitat enhancement and improvement to public recreation areas including Three Rivers and Crane Pond to benefit small and large game. Local partners will support youth and veteran hunts on more than 35 acreas of enhanced land through the addition of food plots and the management of invasive vegetation. | St. Joseph | $149,500 |
| 2019 | Pheasants Forever | Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative Priority Grasslands | Restore 393 acres and enhance 482 acres of quality pheasant habitat by improving grasslands, enhancing woody winter cover, and improving habitat connectivity on nine Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative Priority State Game Areas in Southern Michigan. | Lenawee | $249,900 |
| 2019 | Land Ethics, LLC | Johnson Lake Habitat Improvement Project | This project involved roughly 30 acres of alder sheering, 10 acres of aspen regeneration and edge enhancement, planting 180 mature fruit bearing trees, creating 180 brushpiles, enhancing 50 acres of native openings, and creating 10 acres of perennial legume food plots on state forest land. | Kalkaska | $72,900 |
| 2019 | Sustainable Resources Institute, Inc. | Deer Wintering Complex Enhancement II | This project is a continuation of the Michigan Wildlife Habitat Initiative's efforts to repair, rehabilitate, regenrate and recover Upper Peninsula deer wintering complex habitat. The long-term goal is to re-establish and improve quality deer winter range to support a sustainable population of white-tailed deer. |
Iron | $138,600 |
| 2019 | Branch County Conservation District | Coldwater Lake State Park Native Prairie Restoration | Restoration of 110.3 acres of native prairie that was previously in agricultural production within Coldwater Lake State Park to provide critical habitat for pheasants, pollinators, deer, turkey and other wildlife as well as enhance hunting opportunities throughout the county. | Branch | $22,100 |
| 2019 | Woldumar Nature Association | American Woodcock Habitat Improvement at Woldumar Nature Center | Create and maintain young forest openings and tallgrass prairie for management of American Woodcock and Ring-necked Pheasant. Construct brush piles, manage invasive species, plant hard-mast trees and fruit-producing shrubs to improve the quality and quanitity of wildlife habitat. | Eaton | $18,300 |
| 2019 | Wade Dood | Wildlife Habitat Improvement in Byron Center |
Improvement of habitat on 10 acres of privately held land for multiple game and non- game species. |
Allegan | $21,400 |
| 2019 | Kalamazoo Conservation District | Habitat Enhancement in the Gourdneck State Game Area | Rehabilitation of early successional forest and oak savanna habitat on 63 acres in Gourdneck State Game including select tree and shrub cutting and treating. This will benefit white-tailed deer, Wild Turkey, cottontail rabbit, American Woodcock, and non-game species. | Kalamazoo | $111,500 |
| 2019 | Ducks Unlimited | Bayshore Birds Phase I | Various management activities to prepare site for Bayshore Birds Phase II, including engineering surveys and design work for future water control structure updates and dike maintenance and regeneration of native vegetation to enhance wildlife habitat. | Tuscola | $119,400 |
| 2019 | Laurel Zoet | Habitat Restoration for the Benefit of Local and Migratory Songbirds, Waterfowl and Other Wildlife | Re-establish native habitat with proper land management, wetland reclamation, and planting native trees, forbes, grasses. Increase the diversity of bird species the plot can support, increase overall biodiversity, and improve food plots and host plants for butterflies, moths, deer, rabbits, and other wildlife. | Livingston | $15,000 |
| 2019 | Carlson Elementary School | Urban Monarch Butterfly Habitat | Create and manage a sustainable monarch butterfly habitat in an urban setting to combat the decline of native butterfly species. Educate and expose elementary age children in a low socio-economic area to nature, in order to develop them into responsible environmental citizens. | Macomb | $16,000 |
| 2019 | Muskegon Conservation District | Opening Enhancement and Habitat Improvement on Southwest Michigan State Game Areas | Enhance and improve sections of Muskegon State Game Area and Bass River Recreation Area with a particular focus on opening enhancements, creation of early successional habitats, and food plot installation. | Muskegon | $68,200 |
| 2019 | GMB, LLC | Establishment of Mast-Producing Trees, High Quality Food Plots and Aspen Regeneration for Deer and Wildlife | Enhance food source for wildlife on 440 acres of land adjacent to a large amount of public land. Improve hunting opportunities for surrounding area including adjacent Federal and State land. Offering hunting for youth and disabled veterans to provide a high quality hunting experience. | Crawford | $19,900 |
| 2019 | Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society | 5-Mile Point Habitat Improvement Project | Improving upland gamebird habitat within a proposed Grouse Enhanced Management Unit. | Keweenaw | $16,400 |
| 2019 | Little Traverse Conservancy | Phase II: Improving Habitats on a Northern Michigan Working Forest Reserve | Continuing a habitat revitalization project, this second phase involved a grassland burn and the protection of native mast producing shrubs and trees to diversify a recently created young forest habitat. This project continues to emphasize habitat improvements for the benefit of at least 10 Wildlife Division target species. | Cheboygan | $17,300 |
| 2019 | Newaygo Conservation District | Newaygo Conservation District Wildlife Enhancement | Approximately 19 acres of farmland will be converted into wildlife habitat, food, and cover. Enhancements will include tree planting, grass and forb establishments, and habitat structures. | Newaygo | $46,900 |
| 2019 | National Audubon Society/Audubon Great Lakes | Saint Clair Flats State Wildlife Area Wetland Restoration for Waterfowl and Marshbirds | Enhance habitat conditions for waterfowl, marshbirds, and Black Terns by reducing cattail monoculture and improving hemimarsh conditions. Five, 5-acre pockets will be cut and flooded and should remain open into the hunting season and beyond, increasing waterfowl hunting opportunities. | St. Clair | $111,200 |
| 2019 | Kelly Road Group, LLC | Missaukee County Wildlife and Habitat Enhancement Plan | Enchancement of wintering cover, plantings of year-round food sources and mast-producing trees and shrubs adjacent to the southwest corner of Seafuse Marsh. Habitat improvements benefit white-tailed deer, bear, woodcock, grouse, turkey and Golden-winged Warblers. | Missaukee | $27,900 |
| 2019 | Christopher Klein | Sharon Hollow Wildlife Habitat Inprovement Project | Clear and plant nearly five acres of wildlife food plots including one acre of native wildflowers and grasses. Create brush piles for habitat and introduce multiple colonies of honeybees. Introduce 15 large caliper mast trees and 70 conifers. Rehabilitate over 60 mature apple and pear trees. | Washtenaw | $32,000 |
| 2019 | Springfield Township | Enhancing Wildlife Habitat at the Shiawassee Basin Preserve | Enhancement of 75 acres of wildlife habitat at Shiawassee Basin Preserve for the benefit of focal species and habitats in the Wildlife Action Plan. Enhancement activities will occur within an existing large matrix of grassland and savanna, buffered by wetland, forest and early successional habitat types. | Oakland | $117,500 |
| 2019 | Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore | Sleeping Bear Dunes Grassland Habitat Improvement Project | Convertion of four acres of former agricultural fields to grasslands through native seeding to increase biodiversity and support game species, conservation species of concern, and pollinators. It will also serve as a demonstration site and be a source of seed for future habitat restoration projects within the park. | Leelanau | $133,700 |
| 2019 | Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society | Enhancing Upland Game Bird Habitat in Northern Michigan Phase I | Work includes mowing and fertilizing 442 acres of newly established wildlife openings, seeding 82 acres of wildlife openings and hunter walking trails, and planting 600 crabapple trees adjacent to openings and along hunter walking trails. | Charlevoix | $151,100 |
| 2019 | Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society | Baldwin Early Successional Habitat Phase III | 100 acres of non-commercial stands of aspen will be inventoried, prioritized and restored through hand cutting. Wildlife openings totaling 133 acres will be maintained, and 19 acres of priority savannah sites will be restored. | Charlevoix | $197,600 |
| 2018 | Allegan Conservation District | Allegan State Game Area Aspen and Tag Alder Regeneration | This project will cut 80 acres of aspen and 10 acres of tag alder to improve age class diversity within Allegan State Game Area. Species of benefit include Ruffed Grouse, American Woodcock, white-tailed deer, cottontail rabbits, and additional non-game species that require early successional forest habitat. | Allegan | $81,300 |
| 2018 | Little Traverse Conservancy | Improving Grasslands, Planting Native Shrubs and Creating Young Forests on a Northern Michigan Forest Reserve | Improving a 640 acre reserve within Michigan's elk management area by planting 55 acres of grasslands, establishing 140 acres of young forests, and enhancing 60 acres of shrubland with soft and hard mast tree plantings to create functional habitat for at least 10 Wildlife Division target species. | Cheboygan | $25,500 |
| 2018 | Muskegon Conservation District |
Bass River Recreation Area Habitat Enhancement |
Food plot installation, planting native grasses and forbs, soft and hard mast tree and shrub planting, conifer tree planting, and enhancement of soft edges. |
Muskegon | $36,200 |
| 2018 | National Wild Turkey Federation | Restoring Oak Savannas Across West Michigan | Enhancement, restoration, and protection of 670.5 acres of oak savanna located across six counties in west Michigan. Work includes prescribed fire, mechanical and chemical treatments, and seeding to improve these habitats for both wildlife and recreational users. | Oceana, Newaygo, Lake, Muskegon, Barry and Kent | $191,200 |
| 2018 | National Wild Turkey Federation | Enhancing Pine Barrens and Wildlife Openings Across Northern Michigan | This project will set back succession by reclaiming forested openings and barrens habitats through the use of mechanical and chemical treatments and annual herbaceous plantings of select wildlife openings. Soft mast trees and shrubs will also be planted to further enhance these habitats. | Manistee, Alcona, Crawford, Oscoda and Otsego | $231,200 |
| 2018 | Pheasants Forever | Cornish/Kinney Grassland Complex | Conversion of 66 acres of fallow fields to diverse, high-quality grasslands at Cornish State Game Area and Kinney Waterfowl Production Area to benefit pheasants, white-tailed deer, turkeys, waterfowl, cottontail rabbits, grassland nesting birds, and pollinators. | Van Buren | $19,500 |
| 2018 | Huron Pines | Pigeon River Country Open Wildlife Habitat Phase IV | In the fifth year of collaboration with the Pigeon River County Management Unit, this partnership will work to further develop open wildlife habitat on state land through well site restoration, controlled burns, tree and shrub planting, and grassland/savanna management. | Otsego and Cheboygan | $111,200 |
| 2018 | UP Whitetails Association | Delta County Forest - Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project | Management of diverse habitat on 1,400 acres for sustainable wildlife populations and wildlife based recreation including wildlife viewing, hunting, and trapping. Specific habitats enhanced include deer wintering complexes, early successional forest types with a variety of aspen age classes, mast-producing trees and shelter, and forest openings. | Delta | $53,500 |
| 2018 | Greenleaf Timber Holding, Inc. | Wintering Complex Enhancement Project | Significant enhancement of conifer cover and hard mast production in and around known wintering complexes with the primary goal of increasing survival rates of migratory white-tailed deer. Additional benefits to other wildlife species are expected. | Iron and Alger | $79,300 |
| 2018 | Blue Water Conservation District | Flynn Township Native Grass Restoration | This project is part of ongoing habitat improvements at Flynn Township Nature Center. Work includes converting cropped acreage into native grasses and converting fallow areas into cropped acreage to suppress weeds for future native plantings. | Sanilac | $50,700 |
| 2018 | Safari Club International Foundation | Deer Wintering Complex Enhancement | The first phase in a larger effort to repair, rehabilitate, regenerate, and recover Upper Peninsula deer wintering complexes. Work to include treatment of understory conifers, forest openings, and trails, conversion of remnant openings to food plots, and planting of mast-producting trees. | Baraga, Mackinac and Ontonagon | $71,800 |
| 2018 | Lenawee Conservation District | Adams Township State Game Area Grassland Habitat Restoration | This project includes a wetland restoration, and clearing woody brush and chemical treatments in several fields in preparation for planting to a diverse native grass mix. Species of benefit include pheasants, turkeys, white-tailed deer, and other grassland species. | Lenawee | $17,500 |
| 2018 | Clinton Conservation District | Clinton Lakes Pheasant Co-op Habitat Improvement Project | The Clinton Lakes Pheasant Co-op was organized as part of the Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative to increase pheasant populations in Clinton County. Work includes creation, restoration and maintenance of native grasslands, installation of food plots, planting of shelterbelts, creation of brush piles, and prescribed fire activities. | Clinton | $33,000 |
| 2018 | Clinton Conservation District | Clinton County State Game Area Rabbit, Pheasant and Pollinator Enhancement Project | Maintenance on existing grasslands and feathering the surrounding woodlots to promote habitat for pheasants and cottontail rabbits. Plantings include cool and warm season grasses, clover mix, and milkweed. | Clinton | $36,000 |
| 2017 | Muskegon Conservation District | Wetland Restoration and Wildlife Enhancement | Wetland and habitat enchancement on 31 acres of Conservation District property to include wetland restoration, waterfowl habitat improvement, native grass and forb opening enhancements, early successional forest regeneration (aspen), and hard and soft mast tree plantings to provide better habitat for wildlife and improve hunting opportunities for the public. | Muskegon | $61,600 |
| 2017 | Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodock Society | Baldwin Early Successional Habitat Project Phase II | A total of 145 acres of non-commercial stands of aspen will be inventoried, prioritized and restored through hand cutting. Wildlife openings totaling 133 acres will be maintained, and 28.5 acres of priority savanna sites will be restored to conditions suitable to a large number of game and non-game species. | Mason, Lake, Oceana and Newaygo | $101,600 |
| 2017 | Fish Point Wildlife Association | Gaede Marsh Infrastructure Restoratio | The Gaede Marsh is a 215 acre diked wetland adjacent to Saginaw Bay. Maintenance includes replacing two pumps, intake and discharge tubes, control structure gates, and safety catwalks, as well as replacing and removing brush from dikes. | Tuscola | $116,500 |
| 2017 | Gratiot Conservation District | Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project Phase II | This project will continue and expand improvements started in 2015 in Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area by establishing native shortgrass prairies, planting cool season and legume mixtures, and establishing early successional habitat for American Woodcock and other game birds, deer, rabbits, turkey and pheasants. Project includes approximately 211 acres. | Gratiot | $49,300 |
| 2017 | Barry Conservation District | Barry County Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Project | Habitat enhancement in three strategic locations to improve public wildlife recreation in Barry County. Includes grassland (50 acres), oak savanna (51 acres), mature oak forest (10 acres), and wetland (42 acres) enhancement. Also includes partnerships with wildlife recreation organizations to provide new hunting opportunities, youth education, outreach, and volunteer stewardship. | Barry | $143,900 |
| 2017 | Allegan Conservation District | Savanna Restoration for White-tailed Deer, Turkeys and Rabbits | Rehabilitate 197.7 acres of oak savanna by removing jack pine and sassafras trees, creating brush piles for rabbits, treating overpopulated oak saplings, and opening selected areas exposing them to more light, which will encourage the growth of grasses and herbaceous vegetation. The proposed savanna restoration will benefit a variety of wildlife species including white-tailed deer, turkeys, and rabbits. | Allegan | $85,600 |
| 2017 | Land Ethics, LLC | Tuttle Marsh Area Habitat Improvement Project Phase III | Improve hunting opportunities by enhancing over 110 acres of forest and grassland habitat, establishing 180 brush piles and creating 6,500 feet of edge, benefiting a multitude of game species including grouse, woodcock, turkey, deer, rabbits and hare. A youth mentor hunting and conservation education weekend will also be held on site to foster Michigan's hunting heritage. | Iosco | $69,300 |
| 2017 | UP Whitetails Association | Arnold Winter Habitat/Spring Green Up Phase II | Convert 13 acres into a food plot for migrating deer and enhance a winter deer yard. Project will also benefit additional wildlife species including bear, turkey, and rabbits. | Delta | $15,000 |
| 2017 | Iosco Conservation District | Ingalls Forest Wildlife Enhancement Project | Improve habitat for many game species by planting trees, sowing trails (clover mix) and piling brush at the 78 acre Ingalls Forest. As a result, populations of game wildlife will increase and public hunting success rates are expected to improve. | Iosco | $15,300 |
| 2017 | Ducks Unlimited | Shiawassee River State Game Area - B2 Pump Replacement | Replace the B2 pump at Shiawassee River State Game Area, which will greatly improve management capabilities of 1,205 acres of emergent and seasonal wetlands, and enhance the quality of both wetland habitat and wildlife-based public recreation opportunities. | Saginaw | $250,000 |
| 2017 | Clinton Conservation District | Clinton County Pheasant and Small Game Habitat Enhancement Project | Establish and enhance 126 acres of quality grasslands for bird and small game species including pheasants, adding to established local habitat. This project implements the goals for the DNR's Southwest Region and Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative. Successful implementation will improve habitat and increase quality hunting opportunities. |
Clinton | $56,100 |
| 2017 | Chippewa Nature Center | Chippewa Nature Center Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Project | Enhance habitat by creating forest clearings, maintaining open areas using prescribed burns, planting wildflowers, and increasing additional food sources by planting fruit and nut-bearing trees and shrubs. | Midland | $33,800 |
| 2016 | Pheasants Forever | Sharonville Prairie | Convert sharecropped cropland and an old field to diverse warm season grasses and native wildflowers, and plant two priority fields to short grass prairie. | Jackson and Washtenaw | $41,727 |
| 2016 | Pheasants Forever | Verona Prairie | Enhance the establishment of grassland planted in 2016 through herbicide spraying, convert brushy, poor quality old fields into high quality grassland habitat, and create brush piles. | Huron | $118,439 |
| 2016 | Muskegon Conservation District | East Unit Enhancement | Install food plots, restore native grasses and forbs, manage early successional forests, plant trees and shrubs, and install brush habitat bundles. | Newaygo | $34,138 |
| 2016 | Lapeer Conservation Disctict | Lapeer State Game Area Habitat 2 | Convert old farm land into pheasant and small game habitat by planting warm season grasses with wildflowers and cool season grasses with legumes, and removing black cherry trees which will be made into brush piles. | Lapeer | $40,008 |
| 2016 | Green Timber Consulting Foresters, Inc. | Basin Habitat Project | Install food plots, plant various shrubs and promote the growth and development of oak trees to increase the availability of quality food sources for game species, especially white-tailed deer, black bear, and Ruffed Grouse. | Marquette | $52,668 |
| 2016 | National Wild Turkey Federation | Northern Michigan Openings Enhancement Project | Enhance several wildlife openings that have been severly degraded by encroaching woody and invasive species which offer little wildlife habitat value. Planting of rye, and buckwheat and clover mixes, along with mature crabapple trees to increase soft mast production. | Crawford and Oscoda | $174,442 |
| 2016 | National Wild Turkey Federation | Southwest Michigan Oak Health Enhancement Project | Enhance oak forest and oak savanna stands by implementing basal cutting, mechanical and herbicide treatment to selective undesirable woody vegetation. Plant savanna openings to a mix of native grasses and forbs. | Montcalm, Barry, Newaygo and Oceana | $93,429 |
| 2016 | Huron Pines | Pigeon River County Open Habitat Phase III | Restore wildlife habitat openings through prescribed burns in forests, grasslands, and a former gravel pit area to increase native food and cover for wildlife. | Cheboygan | $118,287 |
| 2016 | Grand Traverse Conservation District | Forage Site Collaborative | Plant large stock native soft mast-producing trees and shrubs, seed native warm season grasses, intersperse conifers to provide winter and resting habitat, and create small game brush piles. | Grand Traverse | $106,975 |
| 2016 | Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society | GEMS Improvement Project | Plant a diversity of mast producing trees and shrub species along hunter walking trails and wildlife openings to provide wildlife with soft and hard mast during all seasons of the year, especially fall and winter. Removal of invasive species such as autumn olive. | Delta, Cheboygan and Ocseola | $98,746 |
| 2016 | Superior Watershed Partnership | Harlow Lake Deer Habitat | Maintain and expand mast producing tree species, protect and enhance conifer cover within deer wintering complexes, and otherwise improve habitat through additional means such as addressing unauthorized access points and trails, erosion control, and invasive species managment at priority areas. | Marquette | $55,033 |
| 2015 | National Wild Turkey Federation | Northern Michigan Mast, Cover and Trail Enhancement | Enhance mast production, forage availability, early successional habitat, and hunter trails across a large tract of state owned land, which will benefit numerous wildlife species. | Crawford and Oscoda | $81,095 |
| 2015 | Gratiot Conservation District | Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area Wildlife Habitat Improvement | Improve large diverse grassland complexes and prairie within Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area by planting cool season grasses, switchgrass, food plots, and wildflowers interseeded in established warm season grasses, creating small game brush piles, and improving hunter accessibility. | Gratiot | $27,313 |
| 2015 | Pheasants Forever | Sharonville Wildlife Habitat | Enhance degraded grasslands and create food plots by remove trees and brush encroaching on fields, creating brush piles, converting a brome field to a grass/forb mix field, removing brush from a grassland and planting two food plots. The project will provide nesting, brood-rearing, and escape cover and food for a variety of wildlife species. | Washtenaw and Jackson | $57,815 |
| 2015 | Pheasants Forever | Verona Wildlife Habitat | Create and enhance considerable acreage of grassland by replanting warm season grasses and native wildflowers, converting corn and soybean fields to dense tall switchgrass stands, removing encroaching brush and trees, and creating brush piles for rabbit habitat. The project will provide nesting, brood-rearing, winter, and escape cover and food for a variety of wildlife species. | Huron | $68,739 |
| 2015 | UP Whitetails Association | Arnold Winter Habitat | Create food sources for wintering deer areas, providing alternative forage and reducing pressure on other food sources in the area. | Marquette | $24,500 |
| 2015 | Saginaw Conservation District | Shiawassee River State Game Area Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Phase II | Plant cool season grasses, warm season grasses, switchgrass, and food plots, conduct tree and brush removal, and create small game brush piles. | Saginaw | $69,726 |
| 2015 | Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society | Baldwin Early Successional | Early successional forest restoration on federal land to include tree cutting and new tree and shrub planting along with priority savanna restoration. | Multiple | $69,595 |
| 2015 | Land Ethics, LLC | Greater Tuttle Marsh Area Habitat Improvement | Plant soft mast and fruiting trees, enhance existing native grassland, enhance existing cool season clover plots, and create small game brush piles. | Iosco | $47,041 |
| 2015 | Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan |
Isabella Indian Reservation Wildlife Habitat Enhancement |
Plant grass, forbs, and mast-producing trees, and enhance habitat for the growth of white pine trees to improve cover, shelter and food habitat for game species. |
Isabella | $49,887 |
| 2015 | Pheasants Forever | Lake Hudson - Coldwater Prairie | Create and enhance considerable acreage of grassland, including planting warm season grasses and a diverse grass/forb mix. The project will provide nesting, brood-rearing, winter, and escape cover and food for a variety of wildlife species. | Lenawee | $58,400 |
| 2015 | Allegan Conservation District | Ruffed Grouse Habitat Rehabilitation | Rehabilitate early successional forest through planting of trees and shrubs and creation of small game brush piles within Allegan State Game Area. | Allegan | $34,769 |
| 2015 | Pheasants Forever | Maple River Wildlife Habitat | Enhance grasslands and create a food plot within Maple River State Game Area. Plant native grasses and forbs, remove brush, and create brush piles for rabbit habitat. The project will provide nesting, brood-rearing, winter, and escape cover and food for a variety of wildlife species. | Gratiot | $45,110 |
| 2015 | Ingham Conservation District | Game Habitat Improvement at the Ingham Conservation District | Perscribed burn of warm season grass prairies to revitalize pheasant and waterfowl habitat, and removal of trees and shrubs to be used to create small game habitat brush piles on publicly accessible land. | Ingham | $15,044 |
| 2015 | Huron Pines | Pigeon River Country Open Wildlife Habitat Year II | Restore wildlife habitat in the Pigeon River Country by planting native prairies, and restoring abandoned oil and gas pad sites to a more natural ecosystem. | Cheboygan | $64,387 |
| 2015 | Michigan United Conservation Clubs | On the Ground Habitat Work | Provide opportunities for Michigan residents to learn about and create wildlife habitat. On-the-ground habitat enhancement work on state land statewide includes aspen stand regeneration, creation of brush piles for small game, food plot development and coastal marsh openings. | Multiple | $99,400 |
| 2015 | Chippewa Nature Center | CNC's Wild Game Habitat Restoration |
Create early successional forests by completing prescribed burns, brush removal, and planting fruit bearing schrubs, mast-producing trees, and wildflowers. |
Midland | $23,990 |
| 2015 | Lapeer Conservation District | Lapeer State Game Area Small Game Habitat | Improve habitat for pheasants and small game by planting warm season grasses, forbs, and switchgrass. | Lapeer | $44,189 |
| 2015 | Sanilac Conservation District | Flynn Township Habitat Plantings | Plant warm season grasses, create small game brush piles, and replant exising food plots to provide food and shelter that is desireable for waterfowl, deer, woodcock, rabbit, squirrels and turkey. Additionally, provide quality hunting opportunities for the public. | Sanilac | $29,000 |
| 2015 | Zero Day | Michigan Operation Freedom Outdoors Sharonville State Game Area | Wildlife habitat enhancement at Sharonville State Game Area to include planting of native grasses and food plots for game species. | Jackson and Washtenaw | $148,500 |
| 2015 | Clinton Conservation District | Rose Lake Wildlife Habitat Enhancement | Wildlife habitat enhancement at Rose Lake State Wildlife Area to include development of 110 acres of quality habitat for pheasants and other upland bird and small game species. | Clinton | $45,200 |
| 2015 | Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society | Priority Young Forests | Planting trees adjacent to managed wildlife openings and partial restoration of 45.5 acres of wildife openings adjacent to Lee Grande Grouse Enhanced Management Site to benefit Ruffed Grouse, American Woodcock, Wild Turkey, white-tailed deer, elk and snowshoe hare. | Multiple | $68,600 |
| 2015 | Michigan United Conservation Clubs | On the Ground Habitat Work | On-the-ground habitat enhancement work on state land to include aspen stand regeneration, creation of rabbit habitat, hinge-cutting, mast-producing tree planting, and planting food plots across the state. | Multiple | $156,000 |
| 2015 | John H. Kelly | Wildlife Habitat Enhancement | Develop a complete habitat for several game species on private lands that are open to the public for hunting. Convert eight acres of low quality upland habitat into high quality food plots, create areas of mast trees and fruit bearing shrubs, and aspen stand regeneration | Delta | $22,800 |
| 2015 | Wildlife Management Institute | Iron County GEMS Project | Establish a Grouse Enhanced Management Site (GEMS) on land that will be open to the public. Create 12 acres of young forest to complement the existing 75 acres on the total 560-acre project area along with white clover seeding and planting of soft mast trees and shrubs. | Iron | $15,200 |
| 2015 | Lenawee Conservation District | Adams State Game Area Grassland Habitat Restoration | Grassland habitat restoration in Adams State Game Area to include field preparation and seed purchase. | Hillsdale | $15,000 |
| 2015 | Grand Traverse Conservation District |
Brown Bridge Quiet Area Wildlife Improvement |
Aspen regeneration, revegetation of exposed bottom lands, and creation of shallow water wetland on publicly-owned Brown Bridge Quiet Area. |
Grand Traverse | $55,300 |
| 2015 | Presque Isle Conservation District | HVCA Small Game Enhancement | Construct several snowshoe hare brush shelters, restore early successional habitat for Ruffed Grouse and American Woodcock and plant hard mast trees and native soft mast shrubs to improve hunting opportunities for the public. | Presque Isle | $23,000 |
| 2015 | Sanilac Conservation District | Flynn Township Habitat Planting | Prepare ground and plant vegetation desirable for waterfowl, deer, woodcock, rabbit, squirrels and turkey to provide quality hunting opportunities for the public. |
Sanilac | $37,500 |
| 2015 | Saginaw Conservation District | Shiawassee River State Game Area Wildlife Habitat Enhancement | Plant cool and warm season grasses, switchgrass, food plots, and native shrubs, and create brush piles. | Saginaw | $48,207 |
| 2015 | Huron Pines | Pigeon River Country Open Wildlife Habitat |
Plant native prairies and restore abandoned oil and gas pad sites to a more natural ecosystem. |
Cheboygan | $59,600 |
| 2015 | Huron-Manistee National Forest | Early Successional Wildlife Habitat | Restore and improve 119.1 acres of federal land in the Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District. Work includes aspen/shrub regeneration cuts, mowing, and seeding with native grass and forb seed mixes. | Oceana, Newaygo and Lake | $25,200 |
| 2015 | Ducks Unlimted | Allegan State Game Area Wetland Restoration | Restore 61 acres of emergent wetland habitat that was in agricultural production, and enhance existing emergent and scrub-shrub wetlands. | Allegan | $99,000 |
| 2015 | Land Ethics, LLC | Tuttle Marsh Improvement | Regenerate 15 acres of young forest, plant soft mast and fruiting trees, and enhance existing native grassland. |
Iosco | $20,240 |
| 2015 | National Wild Turkey Federation | Allegan State Game Area Oak Savanna Habitat Enhancement | Enhance 240 acres of oak savanna habitat. | Allegan | $39,700 |
| 2015 | National Wild Turkey Federation |
Gregor State Game Area Wildlife Openings Enhancement |
Enhance degraded grassland and convert agricultural field into diverse pollinator grassland. |
Livingston | $20,800 |
| 2015 | Pheasants Forever | Lake Hudson Prairie 2 | Purchase and planting 173 acres of local Michigan genotype forb seed. | Lenawee | $47,000 |
| 2015 | Pheasants Forever | Maple River Grasslands | Grassland development within Maple River State Game Area. Prepping and seeding 80 acres with switchgrass. |
Gratiot | $36,660 |
| 2015 | Pheasants Forever | Verona Grasslands | Grassland enhancement within Verona State Game area. Development of new grasslands and enhancement of existing grasslands. | Huron | $79,300 |
| 2014 | Sanilac Conservation District | Flynn Township Habitat Restoration | Create wildlife food plots, plant fruit and nut-bearing trees and shrubs, and establish cool season grasses. | Sanilac | $35,100 |
| 2014 | Muskegon Conservation District |
Woods for Wildlife Phase II | Construct brush piles, install native cover and food plots, and plant mast-producing trees. |
Muskegon | $59,200 |
| 2014 | Mid-Forest Lodge | Food Plot Enhancement | Improve habitat for deer, turkey, bear, squirrel, and other species by prepping and planting wildlife food plots. | Roscommon | $16,800 |
| 2014 | Pheasants Forever | Lake Hudson Grassland | Prep existing land to plant and establish quality native grasslands for pheasant habitat in Lake Hudson State Recreation Area. | Lenawee | $44,000 |
| 2014 | Conservation Resource Alliance |
NW Michigan Wildlife Openings Improvement |
Habitat work on public state land. Plant native hard and soft mast producing trees and shrubs. |
Benzie and Grand Traverse |
$31,500 |
| 2014 | Kipple Creek Cliffs, LLC | Habitat Improvement 2014 | Improve habitat for Ruffed Grouse and American Woodcock, prep and plant wildlife food plots, participate in prairie restoration and tree planting activities. | Marquette | $53,900 |
| 2014 | Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society | Woodcock Habitat 2014 | Improve habitat in an effort to increase woodcock populations on state land throughout Michigan. | Montcalm, Gratiot, Clinton and Ionia | $30,800 |
| 2014 | Gratiot Conservation District | Maple River Wildlife Habitat Improvements |
Plant cool season grasses and switchgrass, plant food plots, and create brush piles in Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area. |
Gratiot | $16,900 |
| 2014 | Zero Day | Operation Freedom Outdoors | Construct brush piles, prepare and plant native grasses and food plots, and improve assessibility for persons with disabilities in Sharonville State Game Area. | Jackson and Washtenaw | $113,320 |
| 2014 | Superior Watershed Partnership | Deer Bed Enhancements | Enhance wintering deer habitat in Alger and Luce Counties by planting oak, white pine, eastern hemlock, and red pine in residual hardwood stands. Clear-cut areas to prevent the spread of beech bark disease. | Luce and Alger | $40,300 |
| 2014 | Hiawatha Sportsman's Club | Winter Cedar Plots | Improve wintering grounds for deer within a 36,000-acre parcel encompassing Schoolcraft, Mackinac and Luce counties by planting white cedar seedlings. | Mackinac | $28,200 |
| 2014 | Pierce Cedar Creek Institute | Food Plots and Prairies | Create wildlife food plots and increase tallgrass prairie habitats by planting native prairie grasses and forbs. |
Barry | $18,200 |
| 2014 | Huron-Manistee National Forest | Habitat Improvement - Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District | Maintain cool and warm season grasses and forbs and plant three acres with native savanna seed mix to improve habitat for several wildlife species on federal land. | Newaygo and Oceana | $15,500 |
| 2014 | UP Whitetails Association | Whitefish Basin Deer for Tomorrow | Enhance browse yards for white-tailed deer, migratory birds, turkey, bear, and numerous non-game animals by planting perennial and annual seedings on land adjacent to federal forest land. | Delta | $19,800 |
| 2014 | The Nature Conservancy | Upland Habitat Restoration in the Paw Paw Prairie Fen Preserve |
Plant approximately 12 acres of prairie with a mix of native prairie species and develop a public use trail within the restored prairie. |
Van Buren | $32,400 |
| 2014 | Michigan United Conservation Clubs | On the Ground Habitat Work | Habitat work on public state land throughout Michigan. Construct rabbit habitat, plant numerous types of trees, and increase browse and cover for game species. | Multiple | $181,800 |
