Grant Recipient:  Ducks Unlimited

 

Grant Award:  $1,500,000

 

Lake Basin:  Huron

 

Project Location:  Shiawassee River National Wildlife Refuge adjacent to the Saginaw River in Saginaw County, MI 

 

Project Description:  Ducks Unlimited and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will restore the habitat quality and aquatic connectivity of 940 contiguous acres of former emergent wetlands adjacent to the Shiawassee River at Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge.  This acreage was previously converted for agricultural production, and the project will restore wetland functions and values by restoring hydrology and re-establishing an aquatic connection between the wetlands and the Saginaw River.  This work will provide fish and other aquatic organisms with access to a large, restored wetland complex, and it will provide important habitat for many species of waterfowl, shorebirds and other wildlife. In addition, the project will contribute to the delisting of at least three Beneficial Use Impairments associated with the Saginaw River/Bay Area of Concern and will have significant public education and outreach benefits due to its location directly adjacent to a new auto tour route at the refuge.