MARQUETTE – The application period for the Upper Peninsula’s Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership Initiative competitive grant program is now open.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources initiative is a cooperative grant program designed to enhance deer habitat on private lands in the U.P.

“There are three primary goals applicants should strive to meet,” said Bill Scullon, DNR field operations manager and administrator for the grant initiative. “The projects should produce tangible deer habitat improvements, build long-term partnerships between the DNR and outside organizations and showcase the benefits to the public.”

Now in its 14th year, the initiative is supported by the state’s Deer Range Improvement Program, which is funded by a portion of deer hunting license revenue.

So far, the program has invested more than $850,000 in hunter license dollars on U.P. deer habitat enhancements. More than 100 projects in nearly all U.P. counties have improved thousands of acres of deer habitat.

New for 2022: private, individual landowners with a certified Forest Management Plan that is qualified for eligibility for enrollment in State Forest Stewardship programs or U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Farm Bill programs, and with a minimum ownership acreage of 400 acres have been added the list of those eligible to apply for grant funding.

The DNR has announced a March 11 deadline to apply for a total of $100,000 in U.P. deer habitat improvement grant funding for 2022.

The maximum amount of individual grants is $15,000 and the minimum is $2,000.

“These projects are prime examples of how conservation-minded partners and landowners can come together to enhance deer habitat all across the U.P.,” Scullon said.

Project applications must be postmarked by March 11 and successful applicants will be notified by March 25. The complete grant application package is available at Michigan.gov/DNR-Grants.

For more information or questions regarding eligibility, contact Scullon at 906-250-6781 or ScullonH@michigan.gov.