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Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program Questions

Below are answers to some common questions about the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.

Beauty shot of the main branch of the Black River, Montmorency County, Michigan. Trout Unlimited volunteer work crew placing large woody debris in the Black River, Montmorency County, Michigan. Restored wetland in Presque Isle County, Michigan. Grassland restoration site in Leelanau County, Michigan.

How does the Private Lands Program protect and/or create these lands?

Creation/restoration of wetlands has been the traditional approach of the Private Lands program to provide habitat for migratory birds and some fisheries species. Private landowners that have drained wetlands on their property are typically eligible for financial and technical assistance to restore or enhance wetlands on their property.

Native prairies have been another focus of the private lands program. Most of the prairies in Michigan have been converted to forests for the purpose of timber harvesting. The Private Lands program participates in the restoration of these prairies, and the controlled burning measures needed to maintain the prairie with financial and technical assistance.

Another type of restoration the program is involved with is riverine restoration. Silt and sand entering river systems through road/stream crossings and stream bank erosion sites have been one of the biggest detriments to the survival of aquatic species. Silt and sand is considered a pollutant because it dramatically reduces the diversity of riverine and lake habitat. The Private Lands program will provide financial and technical assistance to landowners willing to restore these erosion sites.


Will the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service dig a pond for me?

No. Although the creation of some ponds are encouraged, ponds are typically too deep to benefit the trust species we are targeting. Restored wetlands generally have shallow water (three feet deep or less), and contain a mixture of open water and vegetated areas. The program does not excavate or alter existing wetlands.

What other programs are out there to assist me with improving my property for wildlife?

Michigan DNR Landowner Incentive Program
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10370_36649---,00.html

Natural Resource Conservation Service
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/

Michigan Conservation Districts
http://www.macd.org/