Great Lakes Commission awards grants to conduct aquatic invasive species outreach to boaters this summer

The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) announced today that it will award more than $65,000 in grants to Tribes and local organizations in the Great Lakes region to conduct outreach to boaters this summer as part of the Great Lakes Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Landing Blitz. Four of the grant recipients are in Michigan and total $17,574.

“We know that aquatic invasive species don’t respect political boundaries, so the Great Lakes Commission is proud to support state agencies and local partners efforts to deliver messaging about preventing the introduction and spread of AIS from the movement of watercraft and equipment between water bodies,” said GLC Chair Todd Ambs of Wisconsin. “This year we are thrilled to be able to provide financial support to local organizations across the Great Lakes region to participate in the annual AIS landing blitz. Congratulations to the 2022 grantees; your work contributes to a healthy Great Lakes basin.”

2022 is the first year that these competitive grants are available for outreach and education on AIS to boaters in the Great Lakes basin. Eligible grantees include Tribal or U.S.-based local units of government, lake associations, watershed protection groups, non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations, colleges, and conservation groups. Awards were capped at $10,000. This funding will be used by grantees to host local landing blitz events, expanding the overall reach of the initiative and supporting  strategic education and outreach targeted to the recreational activities pathway of AIS introduction and spread.

Michigan grant recipients are:

Benzie Conservation District – $4,000

Lapeer Conservation District -$2,589

Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan – $4,405

Upper Peninsula Aquatic Invasive Species Educational Cooperative – $6,580

Funding for the Great Lakes AIS Landing Blitz is provided by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative through a grant agreement between the Great Lakes Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For more information on the Great Lakes AIS Landing Blitz, including educational materials, location, and volunteer opportunities, visit www.glc.org/blitz.