The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has announced 35 projects statewide that will share $3.6 million in grants through the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program to prevent the spread of invasives. The funding covers all counties. DNR invasive species communications coordinator Joanne Foreman tells us for southwest Michigan, the South by Southwest CISMA is a recipient.
“They are carrying on a lot of both survey and treatment of species that are a priority in that area,” Foreman said. “This year we are also providing a grant to the Pokagon Band of Pottawatomi Indians, and they are working to survey for some of those watchlist species, especially those related to trees.”
The Pokagons will be doing that work in forests around the band’s property. Foreman says it’s important to prevent invasives before they get a foothold and end up damaging the ecosystem and costing even more. She points to the emerald ash borer as an invasive insect that caused extensive damage across the state.
