Michigan Conservation Districts provide private landowners with a wide range of wildlife information, assistance and program delivery to address wildlife habitat and species management.  This page highlights the various programs Conservation Districts provide.  For detailed information on programs and assistance available through your local Conservation District, contact your Conservation District directly.

Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative 

Michigan Conservation Districts is partnering with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Pheasants Forever, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Environment and other conservation organizations on the new Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative (MPRI). The initiative will help facilitate a revitalization of Michigan pheasants as well as benefiting the many other species that utilize grasslands.

Initially, the program will focus efforts on three pilot zones:

• - Huron, Sanilac, and Tuscola counties
• - Gratiot, Saginaw, and Clinton counties
• - Hillsdale, Lenawee, and Monroe counties

Conservation Districts within these pilot zones will have a dedicated staff member to work within the three county pilot area. The technician will work with eligible landowners and provide guidance and assistance on habitat prescriptions for pheasants. To be eligible, landowners must work together to devote large blocks of land that could serve as a patchwork of different privately owned lands set aside for habitat. This is a cooperative initiative that requires a group of property owners to voluntarily agree to work together in "Neighborhood Cooperatives" to implement habitat projects.

Technicians will also also assist cooperatives in identi­fying federal, state, and private assistance for funding or implementing habitat projects. NRCS and Farm Service Agency (FSA) will provide funding to landowners through conservation cost-share programs to install these habitat restoration practices. Chapters of Pheasants Forever will provide free seed to landowners. In some cases, the MDNRE will donate the use of farm implements and planting equipment, and release live pheasant if the area is suitable.

Land owners outside of the three pilot zones are encouraged to participate as well by forming Neighborhood Cooperatives, with  Conservation Districts and Pheasants Forever Chapters available for program guidance.

For further information:

MPRI Priority Area Map

Conservation District Contact Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative MDNR website