Giving to FW

 

Sea Grant Au Sable Dunes

The Department of Fisheries and Wildlife strongly supports Michigan State University's guiding principle to improve access to quality education and expert knowledge. These endowments were established with the intent to enhance the education and research capabilities of our undergraduate and graduate students.

All gifts to endowments are recognized by the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. All donors will be given credit and membership in the appropriate MSU donor recognition club according to gift qualifications. All gifts to Michigan State University are tax deductible on your federal taxes and may qualify Michigan residents for a Michigan tax credit.

Currently Established Funds:

 

Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Endowments and Gifts

The Fisheries and Wildlife Department Gift Account supports operations of the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and will be used at the discretion of the department chair to advance its research, teaching, and engagement mission.

The Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University (MSU) is an international leader in integrating research, teaching, and engagement to positively affect local, regional, national, and global outcomes in natural resources. Our work supports stakeholder efforts to conserve, sustain and value natural resources; improves natural resource sustainability; and expands understanding of basic science. We seek to understand and protect organisms and their environments by studying molecules, populations, habitats, and ecosystems—including people and societies—from local to global scales and through many disciplinary lenses. Some of our faculty focus on conservation through sustainable hunting and fishing, while others focus on understanding and mitigating effects of large-scale stressors like human land use or changing climate. The FW department recognizes that the natural world is changing, as are the ways humans interact with the natural world. We adapt to these changes, and some of our most impactful work occurs when faculty integrate knowledge across areas of expertise to address complex, emerging challenges.

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The Fisheries and Wildlife Peregrine Falcon Nest Box Fund supports the annual maintenance of the peregrine falcon nest box and live-stream video camera on the roof of Spartan Stadium. This nest box was installed in 2022 by undergraduate Fisheries and Wildlife Club members. In its first year, the nest box was used by a pair of peregrine falcons and three chicks successfully hatched and fledged. 

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The Fisheries and Wildlife Red-tailed Hawk Research Fund supports a nationwide, collaborative research effort that focuses on the movement, ecology, and genetics of the red-tailed hawk. The Mackinac Straits in northern Michigan is home to the highest concentration of red-tailed hawks in North America during migration, making it an ideal location to study this species. Information gained from this research will increase our understanding of raptor migration more broadly and could benefit other migrant species of conservation concern. MSU is working closely with the Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch and other collaborators to conduct this long-term research project. We are fundraising to (1) provide opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to receive hands-on research training with raptors and (2) promote conservation of North American raptors in the Great Lakes region through public education and outreach events. 

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  The Fisheries Research Excellence Endowment Fund was established in 1993 with gifts from individuals and organizations who have an interest in the continuation of research in fisheries science. Income from the fund is used to provide basic research support which may include support of faculty or post-doctoral salaries, graduate student assistantships, the purchase of equipment or travel required in the department's fisheries research programs. Much of the support to date has gone towards support of graduate student travel to professional and scientific meetings where they present results of their research.

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The Wildlife Research Excellence Endowed Fund was established in 1993 with gifts from individuals and organizations who have an interest in the continuation of research in wildlife science. Income from the fund is used to provide basic research support which may include support of faculty or post-doctoral salaries, graduate student assistantships, the purchase of equipment or travel required in the department's wildlife research programs. Much of the support to date has gone toward support of graduate student travel to professional and scientific meetings where they present results of their research.

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The Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Endowed Scholarship Fund was established to honor and encourage students (undergraduate and graduate) who have demonstrated sound academic performance and a commitment to a career in natural resources management.

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The Robert C. and Betty Ball Fisheries and Wildlife Fellowship Fund was established in 2000 by Dr. Robert and Mrs. Betty Ball to provide support for students who are pursuing degrees in fisheries and wildlife, with preference to those who are working on advanced degrees in fisheries, limnology, or water quality. The fellowship is intended to assist in recruiting students who will become nationally recognized leaders in these aquatics fields, as many of Dr. Ball's students have done since leaving MSU.

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 The Boone and Crockett Club Endowment Fund was established in 2006 for the purposes of establishing an Endowed Professorship of Wildlife Conservation. This endowed chair will work to create the future leaders for state, tribal, national and global wildlife resource management agencies and a public more informed about wildlife conservation. The endowment supports the research, outreach and graduate programs associated with this professorship.

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 The Janice Lee Fenske Excellence in Fisheries Management Fellowship Fund was established to honor Ms. Jan Fenske. Jan Fenske was the first female biologist for the Fisheries Division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. During her 27 years of service, her love of the environment compelled her to work untiringly for the long-term protection and sustainable use of the State's aquatic resources. The intent of this award is to honor Jan's attitude, deep commitment to the resource, integrity, and memory by providing graduate students from the under-served community in the Department with additional financial and mentoring opportunities to assist them in developing successful careers in fisheries management.

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  The Hal and Jean Glassen Wildlife Conservation and Stewardship Endowment Fund was established in 1997 to enhance wildlife, shooting sports, environmental education, research, and leadership programs for Michigan citizens. This endowment supports the Glassen Undergraduate Experience, which places incoming Fisheries and Wildlife students into mentored work experiences early in their academic career. Funds are also used to support teaching assistantships for graduate students interested in careers as instructors.

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The Michigan Charter Boat Association Scholarship Fund was established in 1997 by the Michigan Charter Boat Association (MCBA). The MCBA represents over 600 [professional captains that serve over 100 ports in Michigan and is actively involved in educating members on issues affecting the charter industry. The Department one undergraduate student per years as a recipient of a scholarship from applicants who demonstrate an interest in fishing issues especially dealing with the Great Lakes and sports fishing.

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  The Mixed Rifle Team Endowed Fund is was established to support activities for the Mixed Rifle Team, which may included, but is not limited to, support of an MSU sanctioned rifle club or varsity sport and multi-use facility.

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You may also be interested to learn more about the John and Marnie Demmer Shooting Sports Education and Training Center on the MSU campus. To learn more click here.

  The Mixed Rifle Team Endowed Scholarship Fund like the Mixed Rifle Team Endowment Fund is was established to support the Mixed Rifle team and / or rifle club sports. Specifically, this endowment awards scholarships to students participating in either the Mixed Rifle Team and / or rifle team sports.

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You may also be interested to learn more about the John and Marnie Demmer Shooting Sports Education and Training Center on the MSU campus. To learn more click here.

    The Rachana Rajendra Neotropical Migrant Bird Sanctuary Endowment Fund was established in 1998 by Dr. and Mrs. Kunwar Rajendra of East Lansing, Michigan, to honor the memory of their daughter, Rachana, and to share her love of birds with others. Rachana, who died in an automobile accident in 1997, was a graduate of the University of Michigan, College of Engineering. The endowment is meant to provide funding for fisheries and wildlife students who are interested in avian species research and conservation, particularly in the Rachana Rajendra Neotropical Migrant Bird Sanctuary in the Baker Woodlot on the MSU campus.

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  The Peter and Elizabeth Tack Endowed Scholarship Fund in Fisheries and Wildlife was established in 1999 by Dr. and Mrs. Tack to provide support and encouragement to undergraduate students in the fisheries and wildlife major who have demonstrated the capacity to achieve educational and professional goals, the motivation to achieve these goals, and the initiative to seek opportunities to further their progress.

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 The William E. Ricker Fellowship Fund was established to honor Dr. William E. Ricker. Dr. Ricker was one of the world's most respected fishery scientists, probably most famous for developing the "Ricker curve", a relationship between adult fish abundance and the future production of young fish. His model of so-called stock and recruitment is a cornerstone of modern fisheries management. Additionally, his "Computation and Interpretation of Biological Statistics of Fish Populations", published in 1975 and known among fishery biologists the world over as "The Green Book" remains to this day the most widely used resource for practicing biologists and managers in fisheries. Income from the fund will be used to support graduate students working on quantitative fisheries science.

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 The Youth Education and Aquatic Stewardship Legacy Fund is an endowment intended to support a variety of youth and adult programs related to natural resources stewardship. The endowment was initiated in 1997 by gifts from individuals and organizations, including the American Fisheries Society, to enhance youth educational programs that offer hands-on experiences in natural resources management for Michigan's youth.

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Support the Michigan State Bird Observatory

The overall goal of the Michigan State Bird Observatory is to integrate avian research, the training of current and future wildlife professionals, and the education of people of all ages in the mid-Michigan region, while showcasing the diversity of wildlife inhabiting one of mid-Michigan’s most diverse wildlife research areas. Specifically, the banding station will (1) collect long-term data on the health of the landbird community of the Rose Lake State Wildlife Research Area and the Corey Marsh Ecological Research Center during breeding and migratory seasons, (2) provide university students the opportunity to be active participants in ongoing research and learn skills associated with capturing and handling of wild birds, (3) engage with children of all ages with hands-on activities in a science-related discipline, and (4) provide a unique opportunity for bird enthusiasts in the Great Lakes region on state-managed land.

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Corey Marsh Ecological Research Center

The Corey Marsh Ecological Research Center (CMERC) is a 400-acre center for scientific research in natural resource restoration and management. This research will be the foundation for outreach and education programs to help build awareness of better land stewardship practices and the relevance of science to society. We are fundraising for site improvements and to support our events and outreach programs. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Corey Marsh that will help us connect visitors to nature, science, agricultural history, and land stewardship. 

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  For more information about any of the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife endowments, please contact the department chairperson. If you would like confidential information on making a gift or establishing an endowment, please contact: Director of Development, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, at 517-355-0284.

 

Photo Credit: Michigan Sea Grant

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