Municipalities Can Apply for Invasive Species and Habitat Project Grants

Municipalities Can Apply for Invasive Species and Habitat Project Grants

(OCP, June 24, 2025)

Oakland County, MI – As work continues to remove invasive species throughout Oakland County, local cities, townships, villages and non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply for grant funding available through Oakland County Parks (OCP).

The Community Habitat Improvement Project (CHIPs) program uses best practices to treat high-priority invasive species, restore habitats and improve greenspace, promote stewardship awareness and increase organizational/municipality capacity for natural resource management and research. CHIPs applications will be accepted until Aug. 31, 2025.

Many people are unaware that taking a hands-off approach to natural areas can actually promote growth of invasive species, Oakland County Parks Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Outreach Coordinator Patrick Canniff said.

“Natural areas thrive when there is a monitoring and management strategy in place to keep out invasive species. This often makes room for native plants that support healthy ecosystems,” he said. “CHIPs grants provide a low-barrier jump start to support public spaces enrichment, organizational capacity and municipalities as they move forward with natural resource priorities and remove invasive species to maintain healthy, natural communities in Oakland County that benefit both humans and wildlife.”

To be eligible for funding, projects must be located in Oakland County. Applications must be sponsored by an Oakland County municipality or submitted by an Oakland County Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) member. Municipal applicants do not have to be a member of an Oakland County CISMA to apply.

Past grant projects have supported native plant restoration efforts, invasive species treatments, boot brush stations, raingarden plantings, prescribed burns, research projects and more. They have also funded native plant events, native tree sales and native seed giveaways. More than $180,000 was allocated for projects in 2024, and approximately $610,000 has been distributed through this annual program since its initiation in 2022.

These funds are intended to assist with invasive species goals but are not meant to be inclusive of all invasive species-related projects in Oakland County. Communities should strive to allocate dedicated funding to invasive species management and habitat improvement within their own jurisdictions.

Funds are not distributed to recipients. OCP pays contractors directly for services to complete approved projects according to the project applications and budgets. Community projects will be publicly announced in September.

For eligibility requirements and additional information about the application process, visit OaklandCountyParks.com and apply online.

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