State awards 3.6 million to combat invasive species

ALPENA, Mich. — The State of Michigan has awarded $3.6 million in grant funding to combat invasive species.  The grants will support 29 projects  across the state.

DNR Spokesperson Joanne Foreman said the species are in the water and on land.  She adds that they are changing the ecosystems and the damage may go unnoticed until it starts to impact the community.  Foreman shared how residents backyards and Michigan’s timber industry was previously destroyed.

Forman said they are currently working to save the hemlock trees in Michigan but adds that Alpena has it’s own specific problem that developed within the last 5 to 10 years.

Foreman said they rely on the community for help and encourages the community to get to know what these species look like so it can be reported.

For more information, you can visit www.michigan.gov/invasives