Michigan Natural Heritage Program Grants will not be offered in 2007  

When available, the Michigan Natural Heritage Program is open to all individuals, groups, and government units.  However, projects on private land that is not open to the public and is not contributing to natural resource conservation on a community-wide scale cannot be funded.  All proposals will be reviewed and considered, although priority will be given to those projects on the enclosed list of projects deemed critical or significant to maintaining wildlife diversity in Michigan .

Primary funding is provided by the Nongame Wildlife Fund through a portion of the sale of the Wildlife Conservation license plate, through individual contributions, and through U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service State Wildlife Grants Program.   Grantees will be required to identify a minimum match of 25% of the total cost of the project. 

The Grants Program was initiated in 1985 to encourage citizen involvement in achieving the goal of Michigan's Natural Heritage Program. The goal of the Natural Heritage Program is to identify, protect, manage, and restore native plant and animal species, natural communities, other natural features, and to promote the knowledge, enjoyment, and stewardship of Michigan's native species and ecosystems for present and future generations.

Review and Selection of Proposals

1.      Proposals will be systematically reviewed by a panel consisting of experts in wildlife, ecosystems and ecology.  Project scores will be based on the following criteria:

·         project description

·         need (priority)

·         timeline

·         expected results

·         potential success

·         community or local support

·         budget appropriateness

·         outreach and communication plan

·         demonstrated ability to complete project

2.      Proposals regarding endangered, threatened species, or rare plant communities receive a higher priority than those in less urgent need of assistance.

3.      Proposals providing an opportunity to draw favorable publicity demonstrating the accomplishments of the Nongame Wildlife Fund are preferred.

4.      Funding of a project may be contingent upon revision of the proposal as suggested by the reviewers.  Negotiations with the grantee may include modification of the project scope, methodology, schedule, products, or budget.

5.      Grantees will be required to obtain all necessary local, state, or federal pemits, permissions, or agreements.

6.      Eligible projects will include all activities eligible for funding under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service State

Wildlife Grants Program guidelines.

1.      Allocation of funds will include an initial support payment, with a final payment upon receipt of a final report documenting completion of the project as identified in the approved grant and providing proof of non-federal match funding or in-kind donations:

2.      In-kind match will be valued using the following methods as authorized in:  Title 43, Part 12, Section 12.64 of the Code of Federal Regulations:

General application information

Grants not available for the 2007 field season - please check back in fall 2007.