Project Leader Jerry McClain participated in a Michigan Project Leaders Meeting in East Lansing, Michigan, January 9-10. 

Although the principal objective of this annual meeting is to update and familiarize participants with activities of the other program offices in the state, this year’s meeting focused on a central topic for a large portion of the first day.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) has developed their State Wildlife Action Plan and is the early stages of implementation.  Michigan Project Leaders participated in a discussion of ways the Service could assist Michigan with the implementation process. 

Mike Sweet, Twin Cities Federal Assistance Program, and Amy Clark Eagle, Michigan DNR, provided their perspectives and helped the group develop a strategy for providing assistance. 

A number of action items were agreed upon as starting points and continued discussion between the Service and MDNR will help guide the collaborative effort. 

McClain will serve as the Service lead for communication with the Michigan DNR as the implementation process is developed and local coordination between Service offices and local Michigan DNR staff will continue.