By Mike McCarthy
CLMCD Executive Director
The Chippewa Luce Mackinac Conservation District (CLMCD) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Conservation Grants Program. The 2025 Conservation Grants Program application period closed on March 12, 2025 after a 64-day request for proposals period. The 2025 Conservation grants are being used to fund local conservation projects that support wildlife habitat, recreation opportunities, pollinator habitat, environmental education, dune restoration and vegetative management. The following organizations/individuals are each being awarded with a 2025 grant.
• Drummond Island Off-road Club – Drummond Island – Roam Drummond Responsibly Expansion: An ORV Invasive Species Awareness Campaign and Monitoring Project – $1,900
• Hessel School House Avery Arts and Nature Learning Center – Hessel – Cultivating Connection: Hands-On Nature Education for Adults and Teens – $1,900
• David Chickering – Sault Ste Marie, Mich. – Organic Mushroom Workshop & Post Timber Harvest Waste Inoculation – $1,100
• Portage Township – Curtis – Portage Township Pocket Prairie – $2,000
• Tahquamenon Area Public Library – Newberry – Library Entrance Garden Space – $2,000
• Kinross/Kincheloe Area Garden Club – Kincheloe – Cedar Grove Beautification and Pollinator Project – $1,400
• Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum – Naubinway – Harvest Host Butterfly Picnic Garden – $1,200
• Pickford Township Park – Pickford – Tree and Native Plant Project Expansion – $2,300
• Pickford Weather Station/CLMCD – Pickford – Establishment of a Pickford Weather Station – $1,200
The 2025 Conservation Grants request yielded 11 applications requesting over $18,000 in funding with only $15,000 available from CLMCD. This year awarded applicants are providing $12,600 in local match for their projects bringing the grand total of the awarded projects to $27,600.
Since 2022 the Chippewa Luce Mackinac Conservation District has funded 27 local projects totaling $40,790.00 through its conservation grants program. Another $30,238.00 has been provided by local grantees in the form or cash, volunteer labor, equipment, and donations.
If you or your group/organization are interested in the 2026 Conservation Grants program applications are available starting in January and close near the first part of March every year. For more information contact Mike McCarthy at (906) 635-1278 or email clmcd@macd.org.
