Apr
Four local organizations will receive a total of $148,958 to address specific objectives to protect the Little Traverse Bay Watershed. 16 years ago, the Little Traverse Bay Protection and Restoration Fund was created to enhance, restore, and protect the waters of Little Traverse Bay for current and future generations. Grants from this fund are awarded annually to organizations that address specific objectives in our region’s Little Traverse Bay Watershed Management Plan. Since the fund’s creation in 2010, over $640,000 has been awarded to organizations controlling and preventing invasive species, managing stormwater runoff, restoring shoreline, educating the public about Little Traverse Bay protection, and much more.
This year, grants from this fund will support variety of projects, including conducting field surveys to gather information on invasive quagga mussels, replacing multiple crossings over the Spring Brook, boardwalk additions and improvements, and stormwater runoff management.
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Awarded $50,615
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians will receive support to collect data on quagga mussel densities in Little Traverse Bay. Funds will be used to conduct field surveys, and data will inform mussel control efforts to restore a healthy habitat for whitefish and trout. Results will support future monitoring, inform management and restoration decisions, and strengthen collaboration among invasive mussel control efforts and will initiate invasive mussel control efforts in Little Traverse Bay.
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council Awarded $40,000
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council will work to restore ecosystem function and improve public access across the Bear River watershed. They will receive funding to replace two crossings over Spring Brook, on Chandler Hill Road, restoring fish passage and reconnecting 13.6 miles of stream. This project will reduce erosion, improve water quality, and support ecosystem recovery. Lauren Dey, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council Associate Director, said this is an important project and a big step in their Healing the Bear Initiative. “Support from PHSACF helps make projects like this possible by allowing us to leverage additional funding from other sources. We’re truly grateful for that support and for the partnership, and we look forward to continuing to work together to Heal the Bear.”
NCMC Foundation Awarded $31,500
The NCMC Foundation will improve the campus stormwater wetland which connects to Russian Creek, the Bear River, and Little Traverse Bay. They will begin with an engineering inspection to assess current issues and make improvements to the area based on the findings. The plans include removing accumulated sediment, completing overdue maintenance to restore effective stormwater management, and installing updated educational signage to share about the wetland’s environmental purpose.
Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy Awarded $26,843
With this support, the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy will begin the Fields Preserve Trail Restoration Project to improve the Schoof’s Creek watershed. This project will include the creation of a timber trail bridge, replacing a failing boardwalk adjacent to a wetland, constructing new sections of boardwalk, and enhancing the trailhead parking lot to minimize runoff.
We are grateful to partner with these four organizations to help support our community and the waters of the Little Traverse Bay. This year’s awards included additional support from the Community Foundation’s Robert Horner Fund for Natural Resource Conservation. Funding suggestions for the Little Traverse Bay Protection and Restoration Fund are provided by a volunteer grant committee comprised of Holly Angileri, Jennifer Attie, Frank Ettawageshik, and Dawson Moore.
Learn more about the Little Traverse Bay Watershed and view the protection plan here: Little Traverse Bay Watershed Protection Plan - Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council.
If you would like to support the Little Traverse Bay Protection and Restoration Fund and future projects, you can donate here: Little Traverse Bay Protection and Restoration Fund.
Cover photo of Little Traverse Bay by Cam Braddock - Gaslight Group Properties.