Mark Wilcox/Daily Mining A doe and her fawn are seen in this 2024 file photo. The Ontonagon Conservation District has been selected by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division for funding under the 2025 Upper Peninsula Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership Initiative Grant.

ONTONAGON — The Ontonagon Conservation District to announced it has been selected by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Wildlife Division for funding under the ‘2025 Upper Peninsula Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership Initiative Grant.” This project aims to enhance deer wintering habitat across private lands, school forests, and public use lands in Ontonagon County. The grant will provide seedlings and trees to landowners at a significantly reduced cost, enabling them to implement habitat improvements immediately.

The Ontonagon Conservation District collaborates with the MDNR and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to assist landowners in improving wildlife habitats within our area. A primary focus for many landowners is deer habitat. The rise of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has heightened concerns among landowners, prompting them to seek safer ways to provide sustenance and habitat for deer. Interest in deer habitat improvement in Ontonagon County is strong and remains a significant priority for land resource objectives. Landowners may apply for more than one share and the district encourages applicants to indicate their preferred option.

Minimum Requirements for Private Landowners

•Landowners must have a minimum of 20 acres of property, preferably within Deer Wintering Complex (DWC) areas or adjacent to public lands. Eligible landowners will be selected based on their commitment to follow planting and maintenance protocols, the total number of contiguous acres in their parcel, and the regional deer management priorities defined by the Department of Natural Resources. Preference will be given to landowners with property located within the DWC areas in Ontonagon County.

• Option #1 Oak Version: Landowners will plant 5 oak trees, 50 assorted spruce and pine plugs, and a mixture of 50 wildlife shrubs. The landowners will contribute $25.00 per share and will provide the physical labor to implement this practice.

• Option #2 Hemlock Version: Landowners will plant 10 hemlocks, 50 assorted spruce, tamarack, and pine plugs, and a 50-count mixture of wildlife shrubs. Landowners contribute $25.00 per share and provide the physical labor needed to implement the practice.

• Option #3 Small Scale Deer Orchard: Landowners will plant 5 Malus trees and a mixture of 50 wildlife shrubs. They will contribute $100.00 per share and provide the physical labor needed to implement this practice.

Landowners may request multiple options, but the availability of these options cannot be guaranteed, as it depends on demand. Participating landowners must sign a required liability waiver and a DNR-approved participation agreement with Ontonagon Conservation District

before receiving materials. Additionally, landowners interested in participating in the tree planting effort will need to provide property location details, contact information, and photographs of the completed planting.

If you would like to apply for this habitat opportunity, please get in touch with Anne Kretschmann at the Ontonagon Conservation District, by phone at 906-231-0382 or via email at ontonagon@macd.org.