Michigan awards $3.6 million for invasive species management projects

Nineteen projects in Michigan received a total of $3.6 million recently through the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program, a cooperative effort of the Departments of Natural Resources (DNR), Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD).

“Invasive species pose significant risk to Michigan’s world-class natural resources, and funding from this program is vital to our continued fight against these invaders,” DNR Director Bill Moritz said. “These important grant dollars will aid our partners in their efforts to battle invasive species. Their hard work will go a long way toward protecting our natural resources, as well as the many recreational and economic opportunities tied to Michigan’s woods and waters.”

Recipients of this round of invasive species grants include nonprofit organizations, universities, and governmental units, with funding ranging from $35,000 to $350,000. The departments selected projects that prevent new introductions of invasive species, monitor the presence of invasive species, respond to invasive species expansion and manage and control colonized species.

Projects sponsored by the funding include the establishment of five new Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAs), which will impact 13 counties, and projects to increase awareness about oak wilt, invasive plants and aquarium pets, among others.