Michigan’s Invasive Species Grant Program is now accepting proposals for the 2023 funding cycle, with an anticipated $3.6 million available to applicants.
The program – a joint effort of the Michigan departments of Natural Resources; Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; and Agriculture and Rural Development – is part of a statewide initiative launched in 2014 to help prevent, detect and control invasive species in Michigan.
An invasive species is one that is not native and whose introduction causes harm, or is likely to cause harm, to Michigan’s environment, economy or human health.
“Invasive species threaten Michigan’s aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, harming our environment, agricultural economy, and natural resources,” said Tim Boring, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. “The Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program is an important tool in addressing these threats – both on the local level with cooperative invasive species management areas and on a statewide scale by supporting advances in prevention and control.”
The 2023 grant program handbook outlines program priorities and application guidelines. Applicants also can take advantage of a webinar Wednesday, Sept. 6, at 9 a.m. to learn more about general grant information, the application process and 2023 priorities. Both the handbook and webinar registration information are available at Michigan.gov/MISGP. A recorded version of the webinar will be available on this webpage after Sept. 6.
The program supports projects that will prevent the introduction or spread of invasive species by engaging the public in prevention practices and reducing the risk of moving invasive species into high-risk areas.
The program also encourages proposals for methods or studies that lead to increased public participation in invasive species prevention through actions like cleaning recreational equipment between uses or purchasing local firewood.
Proposals aiding early detection and response efforts for species on Michigan’s invasive species “watch list” and proposals increasing regional or statewide response preparedness for new or emerging invasive species are also requested.
To manage invasive species already established in Michigan, the program targets proposals for novel and efficient control techniques and projects that improve detection and control methods through increased understanding of species biology and ecology.
Proposals to develop or improve tools, such as risk assessments and prioritization models, to inform management and control decisions also are encouraged.
Support is offered to cooperative invasive species management areas, or CISMAs, across the state to implement strategic plans for outreach, detection and control of regional priority species.
