School & Community Habitat Grant

School & community habitat grant icon (nest)

School & Community Habitat Grant

Plant resources & Expert consultation

Teachers, parents, and students working on a native plant garden.

Purpose & WCCD's Mission

Assist schools and community organizations with accessing plants, especially natives, and establishing wildlife habitat. Furnishing spaces with native plants benefits all residents—human and otherwise—by fostering connection to local ecology, enhancing biodiversity, filtering air and water, sequestering carbon, adding beauty, and providing vital ecological services.

The WCCD is a local government agency with the mission to assist residents with and provide leadership in the conservation, management, and wise use of natural resources in Washtenaw County.

Grant Award:

The WCCD staff and/or our partnering contractors, as requested by the awardees and within the award budget, may provide any combination of the following:

  • Site visit for assessment & consultation
  • Site design plan & maintenance plan
  • Site materials, such as native plants, trees, and/or shrubs and planting aids (tree shelters, etc.)
  • Site installation assistance, including use of the WCCD's tool and equipment lending library and assistance with volunteer outreach

Grant fund availability is dependent on county millage funding as well as donations made to the WCCD for this purpose. 

Applications now being taken until June 13th, 2025

First, review the SCHG grant overview, and if you have a school or community project in mind - send us an application! 

Grant Overview

SCHG Application

WCCD looks forward to reviewing your project. If you have any questions reach out to WCCD's Community Forester Matt DeJonge with any questions: matt@washtenawcd.org or call at 734-302-8715

Pre-recorded webinar explaining what the School & Community Habitat Grant is and how to apply for it.

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Support Local Habitat Projects

Donations purchase plant materials, installation, or design services for awardees to install wildlife habitat.  Grant awards are made based on the amount donated.  All donations are tax deductible (receipt via email).

We're looking for partners to match our awardees' for selected projects. Partners have provided services including consultation, design planning, labor & equipment usage, and more.

Grant awards are determined by an evaluation committee of local experts and community members. Contact us if interested to join the committee or nominate someone else. 

Donate to the Grant Become A Grant Partner Join the Evaluation Committee

Past Grant Awardees:

Grant Awardee Projects' Map!

Read the latest Habitat Grant project reports:

  • Announcing the 2024 SCHG Awardees

    Thanks to all of the applicants for the 2024 School and Community Habitat Grant. We had 16 tremendous applications submitted for this year’s program. The evaluation committee selected 6 projects from the following organizations: The Farm at Trinity, Risdon Park in Saline, Mill Creek Middle School, Lyndon Township Hall, Ann Arbor STEAM Northside, EMU Children’s Institute.

    Read the News

  • Leslie Science & Nature Center: Post-install Report

    The primary goals of this project were to create a visual and physical barrier between the Raptor Loop and Nature Playscape, reducing noise and movement that could stress the resident birds of prey, and to establish a pollinator habitat featuring native plants to support conservation efforts. This garden also serves as an educational tool, enabling visitors to learn about pollinator habitats through observation and programs.

    Read the News

  • Allen Elementary: Post Install Report

    The primary goal of this project is to create an outdoor learning space that allows students to engage in hands-on education about the restoration, preservation, and conservation of Michigan ecosystems. This is being achieved by revitalizing an outdoor classroom into a native habitat learning area featuring woodland and prairie spaces to support pollinators and wildlife, planting native species, and installing educational signage.

    Read the News

See All

Questions? Contact Us!

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