Michigan wildlife officials are expanding their work with tribal nations to help restore more wild rice to the state’s lakes and streams.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) experts and the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) spent the last decade working together to sow thousands of pounds of manoomin – the Anishinaabe word for wild rice. It’s an important cultural food long foraged by Native communities and is also known to provide critical habitat for migratory waterfowl.

Today the effort has grown into new partnerships with more tribal nations to help restore the keystone aquatic plant to more places in Michigan’s natural environment.

“It’s an ongoing effort and every year our partnerships and collaborations grow,” said Erin Johnston, KBIC wildlife and habitat manager.

See Full Page