Farm Bill Funds Available for Habitat

Upcoming Workshops Planned Around Southern Michigan

(Lansing) – Over the next couple months, Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC), Pheasants Forever, Quality Deer Management Association, local Conservation Districts, USDA Farm Services Agency, the DNR, and many other partners are coming together to promote pheasant cooperatives and general Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)  sign-up around Southern Michigan. January 2016 marks the 5th year of the Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative (MPRI), and along with sharing the successes of the MPRI, general CRP is opening for enrollment. These programs provide financial assistance to put quality wildlife habitat on the ground.

“The goal of these events is to provide landowners with valuable information and tools that equip them to create and enhance wildlife habitat on their properties,” said Wildlife Cooperative Coordinator with MUCC, Anna Mitterling. “Landowners will walk away with tips for increasing their odds to receive financial assistance, and will have personal access to experts who work with various habitat programs.”

The MPRI is a conservation initiative to restore and enhance Michigan’s pheasant habitat, populations, and hunting opportunities on private and public lands via pheasant cooperatives. The MPRI works by acquiring state and federal resources to assist landowners in the cooperatives to improve wildlife habitat on their properties and by improving habitat on selected state game areas, recreation areas, or other public lands.

“We are giving greater focus to small game hunting opportunities in Michigan,” said Wildlife Division chief Russ Mason. “We believe by restoring our high-quality pheasant hunting tradition there will be the creation of new hunters and the return of hunters who have left the sport.”

If you are interested in seeing more pheasants in your area, this event is for you. Visit www.michigan.gov/pheasants and www.mucc.org/cooperatives to learn more.

Events will start at 6:30pm

December 7: LISD Tech Center, 4107 N Adrian Hwy, Adrian, MI 49221

December 14: MSU Extension, 20 Care Drive, Suite B, Hillsdale, MI 49242

December 17: Thumb Works Building, 3270 Wilson St, Marlette, MI 48453

February 4: Alaiedon Township Hall, 2021 Holt Rd, Mason, MI 48854

February 18: Baltimore Township Hall, 3100 E Dowling Rd, Hastings, MI 49058

Additional events will be held in Clinton, Saginaw, Gratiot, Monroe, Tuscola, and Huron Counties in January and February. For more information on these events, contact Anna Mitterling at amitterling@mucc.org, or watch for more information come January.

Founded in 1937, Michigan United Conservation Clubs is the largest conservation organization in Michigan. Its mission is to unite citizens to conserve, protect and enhance Michigan’s natural resources and outdoor heritage.

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Michigan United Conservation Clubs
http://www.mucc.org/