DNR Wildlife Habitat Grant Applications Due June 4

lschultz • May 6, 2021

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) opened its Wildlife Habitat Grant Program on April 19 and is accepting applications through June 4. This program was started in 2013 and gives grant recipients the opportunity to partner with the DNR Wildlife Division to improve or enhance wildlife habitat.

These grants can be awarded to local, state and tribal governments, as well as individuals, profit and nonprofit groups. This grant program is an open and competitive process, and grant applications should outline projects that improve and/or enhance the quality and quantity of game species habitat in a way that is consistent with the DNR Wildlife Division’s Strategic Plan.

The minimum grant amount is $15,000 and the maximum grant amount is the total amount of funds available for the grant cycle (approximately $1 million for the 2021 grant cycle). These funds are made available through hunting and fishing license sales.

According to an April 20, 2021, DNR press release, applications must be submitted through the MiGrants system no later than June 4. Projects that emphasize enhancing or improving habitat for game species will be given priority, and successful grant applications will be announced in August 2021.

To learn more about the DNR’s Wildlife Habitat Grant Program and to view a list of previously awarded projects, please click HERE . Additionally, you can read the DNR April 20 press release on the topic HERE .

Recent Posts

By Justin Tomei June 30, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MUCC Submits Public Comment in Support of Line 5 Tunnel Project Lansing, MI — Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC), the nation’s largest statewide conservation organization, has submitted formal public comments urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to approve the Enbridge Line 5 Tunnel Project. In a letter submitted today, MUCC emphasized the need to move this critical infrastructure forward to protect the Great Lakes while maintaining safe, reliable energy transportation. “MUCC supports the tunnel project as the best available alternative to reduce the risk of an environmental disaster in the Straits of Mackinac while continuing to deliver essential energy products to Michigan families and industries,” said Amy Trotter, CEO of MUCC. “We believe the tunnel project strikes a balance between protecting the environment and maintaining energy security.” MUCC’s position is backed by a formal resolution passed by its membership, which includes thousands of hunters, anglers, trappers, and outdoor enthusiasts across Michigan. The resolution supports the tunnel as a long-term solution that replaces the aging and exposed pipeline segment currently crossing the Straits, offering greater environmental safeguards through secondary containment. The organization cited the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which acknowledges the tunnel’s benefits, including reduced spill risk and a controlled, buried environment for transporting light crude oil and natural gas liquids. MUCC also rejected the "no action alternative," which would allow the existing line to remain in operation without any new protective infrastructure. “Other alternatives, like transporting fuel by truck or rail, are inefficient and carry greater environmental and safety risks,” Trotter added. “Allowing the current line to operate exposed on the lakebed indefinitely is simply not acceptable.” MUCC’s comment stresses that the organization is not weighing in on the type of energy transported, but rather on the environmental risks and safety benefits of the tunnel itself. Originally approved by the Michigan legislature and governor in 2018, the Great Lakes Tunnel Project represents a once-in-a-generation investment in infrastructure and environmental protection. MUCC urges the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to issue the necessary permits and move forward with construction without further delay. For Media Contact: Justin Tomei jtomei@mucc.org 517-346-6488 #####
By Olivia Triltsch June 26, 2025
Since its inception, MUCC has made great strides in the conservation of natural resources through advocacy, habitat, youth education, and communications.
By Katelyn Helsel June 25, 2025
On Saturday, June 21, 2025, MUCC’s On the Ground program partnered with the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute (PCCI) for a native plug planting day in Barry County. Located on 850 acres, the institute offers both environmental education opportunities and serves as a biological field station for conducting research. Many diverse native communities from wetlands to prairies are present at PCCI, and many rare or threatened species in Michigan like the eastern box turtle call the institute home. 
More Posts