LANSING, Mich. — Michigan National Guard Fort Custer Training Center (FCTC) has received $216,000 from the U.S. Army 2024 Environmental Resilience Funding program to fund three conservation projects at FCTC. The funding is available to projects that focus on conservation resilience and is provided through Army National Guard funding.
“FCTC has received critical funding to enhance resiliency through targeted conservation initiatives, including the implementation of prescribed fire in fire-adapted habitats, prescribed fire monitoring and invasive species removal,” said Michele Richards, natural resource specialist for FCTC. “These efforts not only support the installation’s military training mission but also play a vital role in preserving and strengthening the native ecosystems that are increasingly vulnerable.”
- Prescribed Fire - Prescribed fire, the intentional and carefully managed application of fire to landscapes, mimics natural fire cycles that are essential for maintaining fire-adapted habitats. These habitats rely on periodic fires to clear out overgrowth, recycle nutrients into the soil and foster the growth of native plant species, which are critical for supporting local wildlife.
- Prescribed Fire Monitoring - Prescribed fire monitoring ensures that controlled burns are conducted safely and effectively, providing critical data to evaluate their success and inform future ecological management strategies.
- Invasive Species Removal (ISR) - ISR targets non-native plants that outcompete indigenous vegetation, degrade soil health and disrupt ecosystem balance. By eliminating these threats, native species are given the opportunity to thrive, ensuring the sustainability of the habitat for years to come.
For FCTC, the benefits of these initiatives extend beyond ecological health. Fire-adapted habitats, such as oak savannas and prairie grasslands, provide natural buffers that enhance training realism while reducing hazards like wildfires. The restoration and maintenance of these landscapes ensure that Soldiers can train in environments that are both safe and reflective of conditions they may encounter in the field.
These efforts align with broader resiliency goals by protecting biodiversity, improving carbon sequestration and mitigating the risks associated with challenges like droughts and severe storms,” said Richards. “This funding marks a significant step forward in FCTC’s commitment to advancing sustainable practices that support both military readiness and environmental stewardship.”
FCTC partnered with Kalamazoo Nature Center and Army National Guard Installations, Energy and Environment on project planning and proposals and will continue that partnership for implementation. The work aligns with the
FY 2023-2027 U.S. Army Climate Strategy Implementation Plan and proactively supports that mission.
