Great Lakes Restoration Initiative - Partners for Fish and Wildlife 2015

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative targets the most significant environmental problems in the Great Lakes ecosystem by funding and implementing federal projects that address these problems. One goal is to improve habitat and wildlife protection and restoration. Using appropriations from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program anticipates funding wetland and associated upland habitat restoration and enhancement projects for conservation of native Great Lakes fish and wildlife populations, particularly migratory birds. Restoration projects will be completed on privately owned (non-federal/non-state) lands. Emphasis will be placed on, but not limited to, completing projects within the watersheds of Great Lakes Areas of Concern. The PFW Program is not a traditional grants program; it is a direct federal assistance program. The PFW Program does not solicit projects through a request for proposals. Instead, projects are developed in collaboration and with substantial involvement from PFW field biologists. PFW biologists from eight Great Lakes states work directly with landowners to plan and implement projects based on priorities and geographic focus areas identified in a regional strategic plan. Substantial involvement on the part of the Service is anticipated for the successful completion of the activities to be funded. In particular, the Service will be responsible for the following: PFW biologists provide direct technical assistance to landowners to identify, design and implement voluntary habitat improvement projects, such as wetland restoration, or grassland establishment, on private lands. For more information, contact the local PFW Program office. For office contact information please visit: http://www.fws.gov/partners/contactUs.html.