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Nineteen watershed organizations share more than $600,000 in EGLE conservation education grants

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) today announced that 19 communities throughout the state will share more than $600,000 in Watershed Council funds for projects that will support watershed organizations with conservation and educational efforts.

The Watershed Council grants are funded under Michigan's Public Act 22 of 2025. Grants are limited to $40,000 per applicant, and the projects will be completed within approximately one year of receiving the grants.

Among the activities funded are organizational and administrative support for watershed organizations including the purchase of needed equipment and supplies, outreach and educational activities for a variety of watershed issues, water quality monitoring, design and installation of best management practices to improve water quality or prevent the introduction of invasive aquatic species, and developing watershed management plan elements.

Michigan-based organizations and projects selected to receive funding:

  • Calhoun Conservation District, Marshall: $39,973
  • Calvin University, Grand Rapids: $23,579
  • Clinton River Watershed Council, Rochester Hills: $38,331
  • Eastside Community Network, Detroit: $40,000
  • Friends of the Flint River Watershed, Inc., Flint: $39,993
  • Gerrish Township, Roscommon: $40,000
  • Grass River Natural Area, Inc., Bellaire: $24,275
  • Huron Pines, Gaylord: $38,740
  • Huron River Watershed Council, Ann Arbor: $39,999
  • City of Kalamazoo, $11,000
  • Kalamazoo River Watershed Council, Kalamazoo: $39,893
  • Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Manistee: $39,997
  • Long Lake Charter Township, Traverse City: $40,000
  • Marquette County Conservation District, Marquette: $40,000
  • Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council, Lansing: $39,730
  • Oceana Conservation District, Shelby: $29,237
  • Rudyard Area Public Schools: $40,000
  • Upper Grand River Watershed Alliance, Jackson: $39,759
  • White Lake Association, Montague: $39,951

A total of 55 applications requesting over $2 million were received in response to the October 2025 request for proposals.

The grants are administered through EGLE’s Nonpoint Source (NPS) Program, which supports local efforts to reduce pollution and storm water runoff through the development and implementation of watershed management plans. The program typically releases three requests for proposals each year. Funding opportunities and additional information are available on EGLE’s NPS webpage.

To stay up to date on EGLE news, follow Michigan.gov/MIEnvironment.

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