Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay Wetland Conservation Program

Goal/purpose: The Wetland Conservation Program is aimed at advancing wetland conservation projects in the Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay watersheds to reduce phosphorous, nitrogen, and sediment entering the waters, thereby improving water quality and mitigating harmful algal blooms. The projects also aim to support and enhance Great Lakes tourism and related economic sectors adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additional applicant eligibility criteria: Eligible partners must not be debarred, suspended, declared ineligible or voluntarily excluded from doing business with the state of Michigan or any federal department or agency.

Project eligibility: Proposed projects must be located in an eligible geography (Saginaw Bay Watershed and Michigan's portion of the Lake Erie Watershed), the project site must be either a current wetland or have primarily hydric soils, and the proposed projects must demonstrate a strong likelihood of being completed by September 30, 2026. Eligible activities include wetland restoration/enhancement, wetland engineering, wetland acquisition, or a combination of these activities.

Application process: Applicants must submit all application materials in one PDF to wcp@ducks.org by August 30, 2024; 11:59 PM. The application must include a Project Proposal Narrative answering specific questions, a budget table, and required attachments such as a shapefile/map of the project location, letter of permission to perform work, NICRA letter, A-133 Single Audit, and stated commitments to reporting and completion timelines.