Grant Recipient:  The Nature Conservancy

 

Grant Award:  $1,020,432

 

Lake Basin:  Michigan

 

 

Project Description:  The Nature Conservancy and partners will restore the quality of coastal dunes and wetlands along the 505-mile shoreline of eastern Lake Michigan through early detection and control of 14 invasive plant species. Some of the project outcomes will include: 1) treatment of 66% of coastal dunes infested with baby’s-breath, benefitting nesting habitat for the endangered Great Lakes piping plover; 2) reduction of Phragmites to manageable levels along 65 miles of Grand Traverse area shoreline and initiation of control in 10 other areas; 3) eradication of 33% of lyme grass infestations over 129 miles of coast; 4) reduction of garlic mustard by 90% on 2,500 acres; and 5) implementation of an early detection/rapid response program for Oriental bittersweet, Japanese knotweed, kudzu, black and pale swallow-worts, and several other invasive plants.  This work continues the work of the Michigan Dune Alliance, a Cooperative Weed Management Area dedicated to the preservation of eastern Lake Michigan natural systems.