Financial assistance is now available through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for farmers in designated watersheds to improve water quality and help control invasive species.

Areas eligible for GLRI funding include watersheds in the Saginaw Bay area, the Western Lake Erie Basin, and watersheds in northern Michigan adjoining Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. Applications for financial assistance must be submitted to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service by Nov. 18.

Apply before Nov. 18 for funding for conservation practices

Financial assistance for practices related to invasive species is available to landowners in northern Michigan, the Saginaw Bay area and the Western Lake Erie Basin. Some targeted invasive species include phragmites, autumn olive and knapweed. Financial assistance is available for practices controlling invasive plants and establishing desired species.

In the Saginaw Bay area and the Western Lake Erie Basin, financial assistance is available to farmers for implementing conservation practices that reduce the amount of phosphorus from agricultural land entering surface water. USDA financial assistance is available for conservation practices including cover crops, filter strips, nutrient management and residue and tillage management.

Landowners should make an appointment with their local NRCS office as soon as possible to begin the conservation planning process. More information about the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and other USDA conservation programs, is available online at www.mi.nrcs.usda.gov.