Investing in projects that improve the vitality of Michigan’s lakes, rivers and waterways, as well as regional and community efforts to preserve our shared water resources.
Natural Environment
Funding Priorities:
- Protecting and restoring Michigan's watersheds, wetlands and shorelines.
- Preserving and restoring Michigan's rivers and streams.
- Developing green stormwater infrastructure.
Stories of Impact
Working to Protect Michigan Wetlands with Ducks Unlimited
“In Michigan, we have the most incredible freshwater coasts, ecosystems and watersheds, and preserving them is paramount to our heritage, our economy, our health, our wellness, all of it.”
-Allie Rizzo, Director of Foundation Relations, Ducks Unlimited - Great Lakes/Atlantic Region
Saginaw County, MI (August 2024)—Nestled in the heart of Michigan lies the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, a sanctuary teeming with wildlife, wetlands and birds galore – song birds, herons, wood ducks, egret, eagles, tundra swans and even pelicans. The refuge, sometimes referred to as the “Everglades of the North,” comprises 10,000 acres of natural habitat, a birder’s paradise that beckons nature enthusiasts and curious visitors alike.
For the past 15 years, the region has been exploring ways to best connect the wetlands within the Shiawassee Wildlife Refuge with the goal to maintain a healthy habitat for birds and wildlife, and provide critical flood storage for the future. With support from the Walters Family Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, in partnership with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, is advancing an 80-acre wetland restoration project within the Shiawassee Wildlife Refuge called Little Prairie – the final portion of a multi-phase, large-scale initiative.
The restoration project includes the construction of low-level dikes and several water control structures to create a direct connection to the Shiawassee and Flint Rivers. This will utilize the wetlands to mitigate flooding during rain events and river fluctuations, and protect water quality, ecology and birding habitats.
“In 2020, when the Sanford and Midland dams failed on the Tittabawassee River, they were able to allow millions of gallons of water into their wetland units to protect the city of Saginaw,” says Kali Rush, Regional Biologist, Michigan. “With this project, we are expanding the capacity to capture water within the wetland unit, and really protect the community of Saginaw and folks up the Shiawassee River.”
This is even more critical in an era of dramatic, unpredictable weather and changing climate patterns. Allie Rizzo says new state-of-the-art systems enable greater responsiveness and flexibility. “In the past, with outdated infrastructure, you couldn’t really turn on or move water with pumps as quickly. Now, if we’re seeing heavy rains coming, we can either preemptively open up wetlands or respond as flooding is occurring.”
In addition, the project includes the construction of a new parking lot on higher ground for the refuge’s cherished Wildlife Drive and the Ferguson Bayou hiking trail. This will enhance the visitor experience and the recreational value of the refuge. “These areas are extremely popular with local birders and wildlife enthusiasts, drawing 90,000 visitors per year,” says Kali Rush. “There’s a huge opportunity to share the work we’ve been doing and educate our visitors.”
The hope is that as visitors traverse the wildlife refuge, they not only become spectators, but participants in a shared journey toward a sustainable future – one where biodiversity thrives, waters run clear, and communities remain protected.
