2009 Grants — Protecting the Environment

Support to assist with the development of Blandford's strategic planning, program development and fundraising plans as it transitions from a public sector entity to a non-profit.

Support for the City of Charlevoix's watershed protection demonstration project.

Support for a survey to gauge community attitudes and perceptions about open space and agricultural preservation.

Support for a conservation initiative designed to protect, restore and enhance wetland and upland habitat to improve conditions for breeding and migrating waterfowl and wildlife in the southeast Lake Michigan watershed.

Support for Building Our Base of Sustainability -- to expand and strengthen Freshwater Future's Great Lakes basin improvement efforts.

Support for planning and for start-up of the Kent County Grand River Watershed Hub, an environmental education effort focused on Great Lakes stewardship.

Support for the development and enhancement of recreation trails and for an open space protection program in the Harbor Springs area.

Support for the expansion of on-the-ground land protection efforts in west Michigan.

Support, through both grant and loaned funds, to permanently protect the 171-acre Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area property on Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Kalamazoo River.

Support for a project to reduce annual storm water runoff and enhance water quality while increasing awareness of storm water issues by targeted stakeholder groups.

Support for year one of a multi-year membership expansion strategy.

Support for the 2009 Freshwater Summit, aimed at creating a springboard for community action on water protection priorities.

Support for the establishment of a "Home Rivers" project on the Rogue River near Rockford, a collaborative, multi-year watershed restoration effort showcasing issues and solutions confronting coldwater rivers and streams-in this case from urbanization.

In partnership with the Agricultural Preserve Boards of Michigan, support for organizing and conducting educational farmland preservation land use tours.

Support for a partnership of local organizations focused on developing a model community-based planning program for stormwater management and for improvements to the www.raingardens.org website.