(Michigan Department of Natural Resources photo) Applications are due March 18 for U.P. Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership Initiative grants. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has a total of $100,000 in grant funding for 2024.

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 16th year, the initiative is supported by the state’s Deer Range Improvement Program, which is funded by a portion of deer hunting license revenue. More than 132 projects in nearly all U.P. counties have improved thousands of acres of deer habitat.

The DNR has announced a total of $100,000 in U.P. deer habitat improvement grant funding for 2024. Scullon said 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 received electronically or postmarked by March 18 and successful applicants will be notified by April 5.

The complete grant application package is available on the DNR website at Michigan.gov/DNRGrants.

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