Wildlife Habitat Grant Program

The primary goal of the Wildlife Habitat Grant Program is to enhance and improve the quality and quantity of wildlife habitat in support of specific goals from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division's strategic plan, Guiding Principles and Strategies - The GPS, specifically GPS Goal 2 to manage habitat for sustainable wildlife populations in a changing environment. Priority habitat types include developing, maintaining, or contributing to large (>100 acres) grassland or savanna complexes, developing and maintaining wetland-associated grasslands, and improving habitat connectivity.

Eligible applicants include any local, state, federal, or tribal units of government, as well as profit or non-profit organizations. All applying organizations must register within the MiGrants online grant management system through an Authorized Official prior to application submission.

Eligible projects must focus on wildlife habitat enhancement within Michigan, request between $50,000 and $500,000 in grant funding, provide at least a 10% match of total project costs, and be capable of completion within a two-year grant performance period commencing upon project agreement execution.

Applications and all required supporting documentation must be submitted electronically through the MiGrants system by the announced deadline. Submissions are evaluated by Department of Natural Resources staff based on criteria defined in the Wildlife Habitat Grant Program Handbook, and final award selections are determined and announced by the DNR Director.