Grants: Wildlife Stewardship

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Shiawassee River Vernal Pool Restoration Project

June 2010

This project requested a WIN investment at the Devries Nature Conservancy near Owosso. The funding
supported the re-establishment of a 6 acre “Vernal Pool” complex at the center. Vernal Pools, which are
considered among the most productive wetland types, are typically less than 1 or 2 feet deep, and are
generally supported by spring rains and snow melt. It is estimated that vernal pools makes up less than 5%
of Michigan’s wetland types. In addition to the wetland restoration itself, this vernal pool serves as a focus
of educational activities at Devries..

Shiawassee NWR Wetland Restoration

June 2009

This project requested funding to support the restoration of 220 acres at the Shiawassee National Wildlife
Refuge. The purpose of the project is two-fold: to support the improvement of wildlife habitat and associated
wetland values, and to also develop a unique educational example of wetland restoration. Because this site
will be immediately adjacent to the Refuge’s new auto-tour route, there exists an opportunity to showcase a
wetland restoration example to an estimated 30,000 visitors each year. In fact, this restored wetland will be
among the first parts of the Refuge seen from the tour route.

Thumbs Up! Restoration Project

May 2007

The Saginaw Wetlands Nature Sanctuary is located along Saginaw Bay in Huron County, adjacent to the Wildfowl Bay State Game Area. This site represents perhaps the best example of remaining lakeplain prairie habitat in the entire Great Lakes region, and has been labeled as such by several organizations including The Nature Conservancy. It is also home to the federally threatened Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid, three state threatened plants and two species of state concern. Unfortunately, this site continues to deteriorate because of invasive plant species that are pushing out the important native plant species. This grant supported the removal of invasive species as well as research by Michigan Natural Features Inventory that developed a long-term management plan for the site that is transferable to other lakeplain prairie areas in the Great Lakes.

Wigwam Bay State Wildlife Area Coastal Wetland Restoration

November 2006

This project, sponsored by Ducks Unlimited, proposed to re-establish a wetland of up to 200 acres at this 3200 acre preserve. Hydrologic restoration of this coastal wetland is a significant conservation achievement that meets habitat conservation objectives of many groups working in the Saginaw Bay Region. Saginaw Bay’s coastal wetlands have been identified as “globally significant” by The Nature Conservancy. This project identified the area to be restored, and completed the restoration along with a variety of partners.

Preserve Restoration and Demonstration

May 2006

This project propses to use WIN funding to eliminate the non-native Phragmites vegetation from the Pinconning Nature Preserve, which is owned by the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy. This project involved both a controlled burn on t he property, as well as the applicatin of a chemical herbicide. The project sponsors believed that by eliminating the phragmities that has taken hold in the preserve, it will allow them to more effectively maintain control of this undesirable species in the future. The site is a high quality coastal site along the Saginaw Bay.