The Chapter received 22 separate grant applications totalling $74,230. The Board of Directors approved 19 requests totalling $27,930. The Board unanimously agreed to provide $1,000 to Trout Unlimited (National) and $5,000 to the Michigan Trout Unlimited, in support of the River Keepers program. The Board renewed the $3,000 annual funding for the Lake & Stream Leadership Institute. The Board also provided $500 in general support to the Pere Marquette Watershed Council and $700 for the Kalamazoo Chapter’s Youth Trout and Conservation School. Please do not hesitate to contact any of the Board members if you would like additional information concerning any of the grants or if you would like to participate in the granting process. Your input is valued and always welcomed.
Huron River Watershed
Amount Granted: $1,000
Administered by: Huron Valley Schools 8th Grade Project
This project will teach children what is happening out of sight in a watershed. The class will focus on aquatic life, both invertebrates and vertebrates as well as plant life. The course will look at the effects humans have on their watersheds and how that can affect life outside of their community. The students will learn what type of life is found in the water, how to protect it, and most importantly, why they should want to. They will learn about pollution, and how to leave a minimum impact on their environment.
Clinton River Coldwater Conservation Project
Amount Granted: $525
Administered by: Clinton River Watershed Council
Now in its 9th year, the Clinton River Coldwater Conservation Project (CRCCP) is a joint effort of local Trout Unlimited chapters, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division (MDNR), City of Auburn Hills, and the Clinton River Watershed Council. Its mission is to engage anglers in coldwater fishing and in river stewardship activities. CRCCP generates interest in trout fishing and coldwater conservation, recruits new trout anglers, and provides hands-on involvement with conservation projects.
Small Dam Project
Amount Granted: $4,155
Administered by: Huron Pines
Thousands of undocumented small dams in Michigan are altering the natural species compositions and physical conditions of our rivers and streams. By restricting fish passage and altering thermal regimes and sediment transport, the dams pose a threat to coldwater fisheries. The Small Dams Program is an effort by Huron Pines to manage the removal of high-impact small dams, inventory and prioritize the small dams in Northeastern Michigan, and educate dam owners and resource professionals about dam management and removal.
Ground Water Protection & Conservation
Amount Granted: $1,500
Administered by: Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation
Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation (MCWC) shares the commitment of the Paul H. Young Chapter in preserving Michigan’s most precious cold-water resources. The grant will enable MCWC to enhance its effectiveness in working to protect these resources from multiple new water mining proposals. MCWC’s environmental experts and legal team will review and monitor the reports from watersheds and trout streams where Nestle (and others) are known to be collecting data from test wells. MCWC’s environmental experts and legal team will also monitor and challenge commercial applications for permits to mine Michigan’s water. MCWC will continue to work to improve Michigan’s water withdrawal laws.
Invasive Plant Project
Amount Granted: $1,200
Administered by: Huron Pines
Huron Pines is creating a team to focus on eradication of invasive plant species. When sites are discovered on the shorelines of lakes and rivers in our service area (the 11 counties of the northeast Lower Peninsula of Michigan), the team will quickly respond and treat them. When the Invasive SWAT Team promptly and effectively treats invasive species, their spread and impact will be minimized. By addressing the plants that threaten coastal and riparian wetlands, the Invasive SWAT team will be directly restoring habitat critical to coldwater fish species.
Upper Manistee Watershed Maintenance Projects
Amount Granted: $2,500
Administered by: Upper Manistee River Association
Within the Upper Manistee River system there are many large projects underway or being developed. Many smaller projects such as stream bank erosion sites or the ability to utilize fallen trees for LWD can also have a significant collective impact on the cold-water resources of the Upper Manistee River. The AGP funds (together with that from other sources) the Committee, through the Kalkaska Conservation District, will (1) systematically manage (i.e., cut where necessary, move and tether in place) the increasing number of in-river treefalls as LWD to enhance trout habitat as well as facilitate navigation; and (2) upgrade the public access site a few river miles above the CCC Bridge.
Platte River – Habitat Improvement
Amount Granted: $1,300
Administered by: Conservation Resource Alliance
AGP funds will be used to support in-stream habitat enhancement work being performed in the main branch of the Platte River. The work will consist of the placement of natural woody debris, whole tree revetments and deflection logs.
Reeling & Healing
Amount Granted: $750
Administered by: Reeling & Healing – Dick & Judy Walle
Reeling & Healing promotes physical and mental healing and provides social support for breast cancer survivors while gathering in beautiful natural setting to learn fly fishing. The grant will be used to purchase supplies for use at this year’s retreats.
Reeling & Healing, Midwest
Amount Granted: $750
Administered by: Reeling & Healing – Cathy Sero
Breast cancer survivors head to Gates AuSable Lodge for a weekend to get away from treatment and learn about Fly Fishing, Fly Tying and connecting with nature which is truly a "healing" experience. Reeling & Healing Midwest New Participant retreats offer introductory fly fishing skills to participants as well as an opportunity to build a support network beyond the hospital and their families and physicians.
Salmon in the Classroom
Amount Granted: $500
Administered by: Paul H. Young TU
This grant will provide ongoing support to the five schools actively involved with the PHY Salmon in the Classroom project. By studying salmon habitat, water quality, and the salmon themselves, students can learn about the interrelationships of species within their local watershed. In learning how to protect the salmon's environment, the students are ultimately learning how to protect their own environment.
N. Br. Manistee River – Mecum RSX / Flowing Well
Amount Granted: $2,500
Administered by: Conservation Resource Alliance
Eliminating barriers to fish passage and minimizing the sediment delivery from roadways to nearby surface water is vital to resource protection. This project will restore approximately 14 miles of river upstream from Mecum road for fish passage and improve 4 miles of downstream habitat. The stream will no longer be impounded, sand and sediment will be naturally transported, stream temperatures will recover and wild brook trout will be able to return to a reach that has been segmented for the last 40 years.
Volunteer Projects in 11 Counties
Amount Granted: $1,750
Administered by: Huron Pines
The objective of this project is to identify, plan and execute a volunteer conservation project in each of the eleven counties in Huron Pines service area. The goal is to broaden the public awareness of volunteer opportunities throughout N.E. Michigan and to provide seed money to get the projects started.
U.P. Fishing Buddies
Amount Granted: $300
Administered by: PEERS of Eastern U.P.
The objective of this program is to educate and provide a life long experience for a child who would never have this opportunity. By learning to fish, they will experience satisfaction and accomplishment of a task well done. They will also experience interaction with local accomplished fishermen who will teach them the love of fishing. Beginning in June, 2010, children involved with our program will meet bi-weekly at the Rotary Park Kids Fishing Pond for 2 to 3 hours. During this time they will be educated in the art of fishing, boating safety, angling skills and knot tying. The program runs through the end of August.