$3.85 million awarded for fish and wildlife restoration in the Great Lakes Basin

We at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are pleased to announce that $3.85 million in 2023 federal funding has been awarded under the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act grant program to restore sustainable populations of fish and wildlife resources, and their habitats, in the Great Lakes Basin. Sixteen research and restoration grant proposals will provide more than $1.73 million in non-federal partner match contributions. Additionally, these proposals are partially supported with $941,748 from Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding.

Since 1998, the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act has provided approximately $39.6 million in federal funds to 226 research and restoration and regional project proposals. Combined with the required matching monies from more than 145 non-federal partners, funding to benefit Great Lakes fish, wildlife and habitats tops $57.6 million.

Research and restoration grant proposals funded in fiscal year 2023 include:

• Climate-driven uncertainty in the suitability of Great Lakes shoreline habitat for Michigan’s at-risk species; Michigan Natural Features Inventory, MI $168,838. 
• Defining movements and spatial distribution of lake whitefish in northern Green Bay and Lake Michigan; University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, WI $257,468. 
• Predation risk assessments for the wood turtle in the Great Lakes Region; Grand Valley State University, MI $281,071. 
• Comprehensive evaluation of unionid habitats in lower tributaries of Lake Michigan; Central Michigan University, MI $384,342. 
• Enhancing Great Lakes lake sturgeon restoration via the development of novel lake sturgeon herpesvirus detection and transmission prevention methods; Michigan State University, MI $349,962.  
• Understanding Klondike Reef ecotypes for lake trout restoration in the lower Great Lakes; University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, WI $179,250. 
• Documenting the response of breeding bird communities to a decade of remedial actions in a Great Lakes Area of Concern; University of Minnesota - Duluth, MN $299,164. 
• Enhancing our understanding of Kirtland’s warbler population dynamics through improved parameter estimation and use of a full-annual-cycle integrated population model; Smithsonian Institution, WDC $316,521. 
• Filling knowledge gaps and increasing the capacity of Michigan Land Conservancies to restore ecosystems; Little Traverse Conservancy, MI $150,000. 
• Restore wetlands for marsh birds, waterfowl, and other fish and wildlife in the Cuyahoga River Area of Concern; The Nature Conservancy, OH $498,000. 
• Saginaw River Headwaters Rec Area habitat restoration and reclamation; Michigan Department of Natural Resources, MI $234,363. 
• Movements and habitat use of native brook trout and nonnative salmonids in two Lake Superior watersheds; University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, WI $227,038. 
• Broad-based partnership to evaluate lake sturgeon in the Grand River Watershed, Michigan; Grand Rapids Public Museum, MI $149,597. 
• Restoring coastal stream and estuary habitat functions of Silver Creek; City of Manitowoc, WI $175,000. 
• Identifying potential sources of natural recruitment of muskellunge in Green Bay, Lake Michigan; University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, WI $147,339. 
• Spy Run Dam removal in the Maumee River Basin; Fort Wayne City Utilities, IN $33,794.

Learn more about the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act and how to apply for funding.