Allegan Conservation District is the recipient of an $85,600, 2017 Wildlife Habitat Grant. A total of $998,000 was awarded to various conservation organizations, units of government, landowners and nonprofit organizations for projects to be completed by Sept. 30, 2019.
The grant will cover 197.7 acres at the Allegan State Game Area, restoring savanna areas to benefit whitetailed deer, turkeys, rabbits and the Karner Blue Butterflies, which have been on the Federal Endangered Species List since 1992.
“Our primary goal is to create outstanding wildlife habitat by exposing the areas to more light, and that will encourage the growth of grasses and herbaceous vegetation,” said Ana Hedberg, executive director of the Allegan Conservation District. “These areas were originally savannas, but have since been overgrown with jack pines, sassafras and oak saplings. “The goal is to bring it back to what they once were.”
The Gun Lake Tribe, the local chapter of Whitetails Unlimited and the national chapter of Whitetails Unlimited provided a total of $12,500 in matching funds in addition to what the grant is awarding.
“Without their financial support, we wouldn’t have been awarded this grant,” Hedberg said.
The Wildlife Habitat Grant Program is funded with a portion of the revenue from hunting and fishing licenses sold each year. The grant programs main objective is to enhance and improve the quality and quantity of game species habitat in support of a specific goal from the DNR Wildlife Divisions strategic plan.
The Allegan Conservation District board of directors is expected to officially accept the grant at their Oct. 16 meeting at 5 p.m. at the district office, 1668 Lincoln Road (M-89), Allegan. Meetings are open to the public.
Virginia Ransbottom can be contacted at vransbottom@allegannews.com or at (269) 673-5534.
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