Michigan's Great Lakes coastal wetlands are invaluable resources, providing habitat to wildlife including waterfowl, shorebirds, and threatened and endangered species.

Of the nearly 200 fish species in the Great Lakes, for example, more than 90% use coastal marshes during some part of their life cycle.

"Coastal wetlands provide critical spawning and nursery habitat for a wide variety of Great Lakes fishes, including yellow perch, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, pumpkinseed sunfish and channel catfish," said Jim Baker, Southern Lake Huron Fisheries Unit manager for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

In addition, they produce vast numbers of insects and other invertebrates which are important food for fishes, birds, amphibians and reptiles.

But coastal wetlands provide many other ecological benefits. They protect the shoreline from erosion; help retain runoff and filter nutrients, sediments and toxins before they reach the open Great Lakes waters, thereby improving water quality.

Economic and social values associated with coastal wetlands include hunting, fishing, trapping, canoeing and wildlife observation.

According to Russ Terry, manager of Great Lakes Conservation Programs for Ducks Unlimited, a recent economic study of the Saginaw Bay coastal wetlands determined their recreational value exceeds $3,500 per acre per year, and the value of all ecosystem services derived from coastal wetlands is $10,500 per acre per year.

"The study confirms our Great Lakes coastal areas are extremely valuable and enhance the quality of life for Michigan's residents and visitors," Terry said.

The DNR's efforts to protect coastal wetlands include land acquisition, restoration of degraded habitat or altered hydrology and enhancement of existing wetland communities.

"A good example of our efforts to enhance coastal wetlands is the control of invasive plant species," said DNR Wildlife Biologist Barb Avers. "Recently our focus has turned to phragmites, or common reed, which has spread rapidly and displaced desirable native plant species and reduced plant and wildlife habitat diversity."

Another part of the DNR's mission, Avers said, is to provide public access to these coastal areas for recreational opportunity.

"But the DNR alone simply does not have the resources to complete many of the projects that are desired for maintaining the existing wetlands in our State Game and Wildlife Areas," Avers said. "Partnerships with other organizations have become keys to success."

The DNR has a long history of partnering with other state and federal agencies, local units of government, conservation organizations and private landowners to accomplish common goals. The benefits of partnerships are as diverse as the partners themselves.

First, money provided by partner organizations often can be leveraged with other funding sources to compete successfully for federal grants and accomplish projects the DNR would not be able to do on its own.

Local partnerships also have the added benefit of building pride in the community and appreciation for shared natural resources.

"Clearly, the conservation community can accomplish a great deal more by combining financial resources and technical expertise rather than working independently," Avers said. "In addition, the local enthusiasm often creates incredible momentum."

Tim Reis, wildlife supervisor for the DNR's Saginaw Bay Management Unit, said there are several federal grants available that have had a huge impact on protecting the coastal wetlands in Saginaw Bay.

In 1998, DNR and its partners received a $1 million grant from the North American Wetlands Conservation Council (NAWCC) for protection, restoration, and enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands in the Saginaw Bay Watershed.

Reis said the initial grant project was so successful that 17 partners rallied to support a second grant application which resulted in another $1 million grant award from the NAWCC in 2001.

"The partners contributed an incredible $4.07 million, resulting in more than $5 million toward wetland conservation projects in Saginaw Bay," Reis said.

Ducks Unlimited accepted both Saginaw Bay grants on behalf of the partnership. The Saginaw-Chippewa Indian Tribe, General Motors, local waterfowl hunter groups, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, local land conservancies, community foundations and local governments were among the diverse partners involved.

These two Saginaw Bay grants have conserved more than 8,300 acres of wetland and grassland habitats on public and private lands within the watershed. The second grant alone permanently protected over 1,600 acres of existing or restorable wetland habitat and resulted in the completion of 220 conservation projects.

"The greatest and most significant results have been the restored benefits to wildlife, fish and society," Reis said. "Current and future generations of Michigan residents and visitors will be glad for the work that is being done to conserve and enhance our Great Lakes coastal wetlands."