Special Projects - Great Lakes Fishery Trust
Forecasted
Great Lakes Fishery Trust’s Special Projects supports organizations undertaking timely research, education, habitat, and fishing access projects to enhance and protect Great Lakes fishery resources.
Funder: Great Lakes Fishery Trust
Due Dates (Anticipated): February 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Approximately $4.2 million awarded historically through Special Projects
Summary: Supports timely, special-case projects addressing Great Lakes fishery enhancement, public education, habitat protection, and fishing access.
Key Information: Projects must be nominated by a board member willing to advocate for the proposal before the board.
Description
The Great Lakes Fishery Trust’s Special Projects program supports timely responses to important issues affecting the Great Lakes ecosystem outside its routine, regularly scheduled competitive grant programs. It provides an avenue for reviewing special-case proposals and acting on unique opportunities to enhance the fishery, educate the public, protect valuable habitat, and secure critical fishing access.
The program advances the Trust’s mission to enhance, protect, and rehabilitate Great Lakes fishery resources while compensating for lost use and enjoyment of the Lake Michigan fishery resulting from the Ludington Pumped Storage Plant. Authorized activities include shore-based and tribal fishing access, fishery education, research, and habitat protection and restoration. Projects benefiting the Lake Michigan fishery receive preferential treatment, with special emphasis on lake sturgeon research and Muskegon River habitat.
