MSU Extension Michigan Sea Grant

Why?

Collaboration and partnerships can help wildlife management areas (WMAs) and coastal communities
achieve collective goals. Understanding relational needs to the partnership is important for helping partners
understand what their needs are, how they work together, and what the outcomes are for WMAs, their needs,
as well as the relationship.

Objectives

• Invite stakeholder input and perspectives about coastal wildlife management area conservation and community planning and development.

Background

This study area included two state-owned wildlife management areas (WMAs), one near Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay region (Nayanquing Point) and one on western Lake Erie (Pointe Mouillee). These two sites were selected for in-depth community engagement due to current or potential partnerships, and interests of local community leaders or Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) staff.

Methods

• An 11-question open-ended survey was distributed in May 2022 to waterfowl hunters, locally elected officials
or professional staff, and local leaders, and received 15 anonymous responses.
• STUDY00007601 was approved by the MSU IRB.

Results

A sample of survey questions and responses from some of the respondents:

How can the community and Michigan Department of Natural Resources WMA better work together?

• Educate the local community on fragile ecosystems, impacts of coastal waters on shorelines, migratory
birds, food sources, diseases, in addition to hunting.
• Having a “Friends” group to support the wildlife management area is very helpful. Community leaders can serve on the Friends Council to help provide necessities for the WMA. Local elected officials are important partners to help local organizations achieve their goals.
• Funding from state or federal sources to stop erosion of the shorelines adjacent habitat areas.
• Save remaining coastal wetlands.
• Improve community roads and infrastructure around the WMAs.

What are possible actions that WMAs and local communities might collaborate on to achieve their goals?

• Educate communities on how fragile ecosystems are, such as breeding times, food sources and their threats (e.g., plant disease).
• Adapt the Wetland Management for Waterfowl Handbook for Michigan ecosystems.
• Train young people and adults in outdoor recreation, interpretation, and other skills.
• Better understanding of local community interests that are not clear to traditional hunting and WMA
stakeholders.
• Include wetland areas in master planning and zoning restrictions.
• Collaborate on funding and grant writing.

What are your reflections on how WMA staff and community leaders could engage or collaborate together?

• “A coastal habitat educational program is needed, like Hunters Safety.”
• “Engagement is just a matter of finding out who does what in the community and trying to get them to
collaborate.” Local service groups might be willing to cooperate.
• City and township officials probably already understand the value of natural resources within their area. They
could be persuaded to include WMA resources within their deliberations.

Discussion

We identified several preliminary implications for MDNR actions from the themes in the data: (1) consider facilitating local “Friends” groups or partnering with other groups to access private, corporate, and community foundation resources for common interests; and (2) work with communities to brainstorm and envision new ways that they might reach out and ask MDNR Wildlife Division for assistance, collaboration, or co-creation for the stewardship and benefit of local WMAs.

Preliminary implications for local communities include:

• Identify local infrastructure needs to access WMAs, and communicate with MDNR about those needs.
• Utilize community plans (master plans, zoning, recreation plans) for wetland protection.
• Facilitate and communicate about which recreation activities are allowable on different types of lands.

Preliminary implications for both MDNR Wildlife Division and local communities include:

• Joint project planning and funding acquisition.
• Develop, implement, and promote local education programs for the unique aspects of coastal wetland habitat and its benefits for erosion mitigation, habitat, refuge, flood protection, etc.

Adapted from original research: Triezenberg, H.A. and B.A. Avers. (2023). Coastal wildlife management areas
community leader engagement feedback. Department of Fisheries and Wildlife; MSU Extension, Michigan Sea
Grant, Michigan State University.

Key findings

• For Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division:
• Consider facilitating a “Friends” group or other service group to access private, corporate, and community foundation resources for common interests.
• Work with communities to brainstorm new ways that they could assist or collaborate with local stewardship or other activities.
• For local communities:
• Utilize community plans (master plans, zoning, recreation plans) for wetland protection.
• Develop, implement, and promote local education programs for the unique aspects of coastal wetlands.
• For both MDNR Wildlife Division and local communities:
• Engage in joint project planning and funding acquisition.
• Develop, implement, and promote local education programs on the unique aspects of coastal wetlands for a variety of ecosystem services.

Contacts

Dr. Barbara Avers
Waterfowl and Wetlands Specialist, Michigan Department of Natural Resources - Wildlife Division; Adjunct Assistant Professor MSU Fisheries and Wildlife Department
aversb@michigan.gov | (517) 930-1163

Dr. Heather Triezenberg
Associate Director and Extension Program Leader, Michigan Sea Grant, MSU Extension; Extension Specialist MSU Fisheries and Wildlife Department
vanden64@msu.edu | (517) 353-5508

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We thank the participants in this research project. The results from this study would not exist without their willingness to share their perspectives. Funding for this research came from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act Grant MI W-155-R via a grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division. This study was prepared under awards NA140AR4170070, NA180AR4170102, NA17OAR4320152, and NA22OAR4170084 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce through the Regents of the University of Michigan. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Department of Commerce, or the Regents of the University of Michigan. These data and related items of information have not been formally
disseminated by NOAA and do not represent any agency determination, view or policy.

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

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