The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is accepting Wildlife Habitat Grant Program applications now through Wednesday, July 20. Projects featuring habitat enhancement for game species will be given priority.

The Wildlife Habitat Grant Program, which began in October 2013, is funded with a portion of the revenue from the hunting and fishing licenses sold each year. The DNR administers the program through a cooperative effort between its Wildlife Division and Grants Management Section.

“This is an exciting opportunity to partner with others in the state to increase the habitat available for game species in Michigan and to enhance the existing habitat for the benefit of hunters, trappers and wildlife viewers,” said DNR Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason.

Funding is available for local, state, federal and tribal governments, profit and nonprofit groups, and individuals through an open, competitive process. Minimum grant amounts will be set at $15,000, with the maximum being the amount of funds available for that grant cycle. The 2016 overall available grant amount is approximately $1 million.

The main objective of the Wildlife Habitat Grant Program is to enhance and improve the quality and quantity of game-species habitat in support of goal 2 of the Wildlife Division’s strategic plan – to manage habitat for sustainable wildlife populations and wildlife-based recreation.

In a continuing effort to enhance the program and meet the needs of the DNR’s wildlife conservation partners, a new two-year grant period is being implemented with this application cycle. This program change should provide greater flexibility in delivering effective habitat-restoration projects.

The grant application period begins today, June 1. Applications must be postmarked no later than July 20 to be considered for funding. Successful grant applications will be announced by Oct. 1. The detailed program handbook and application are available at mi.gov/dnrgrants.