The Consumers Energy Foundation is celebrating Earth Day by giving money to the Michigan Nature Association, Conservation Resource Alliance and Michigan United Conservation Clubs.

JACKSON, Mich. - The Consumers Energy Foundation is celebrating Earth Day by giving $500,000 to three projects that will make a significant impact on Michigan's environment.

The Michigan Nature Association will receive $250,000, the Conservation Resource Alliance will receive $150,000 and the Michigan United Conservation Clubs will get $100,000. The groups will be the first recipients of the Foundation's Planet Awards.

“Consumers Energy has made a Triple Bottom Line commitment to people, the planet and Michigan’s prosperity. Our Planet Awards represent that commitment in action, working with great Michigan organizations to protect our land, water and air,” said Patti Poppe, Consumers Energy’s president and CEO. “We are excited to support these three projects as we all work together to preserve Michigan’s natural beauty.”

The Michigan Nature Association will use the money for their Protecting Habitat Today for People and Wildlife Tomorrow project, which aims to project, restore and enhance 575 acres of critical habitat for rare, threatened and endangered plants and animals in eight Michigan counties.

The Consumers Energy Foundation has support the association's work in the past, specifically to help save the spotted turtle, Karner blue butterfly and eastern prairie fringed orchid.

The Conservation Resource Alliance plans to plant 100,000 native Michigan trees over five years with their Wild Roots project. The effort hopes to fortify forested watersheds in northern Michigan, reduce runoff by nearly 8 million gallons and provide seed stocks for the next generation of forest.

The effort's first tree planting took place Monday in Traverse City.

The Michigan United Conservation Clubs On the Water program will help connect Michigan residents with waterways through stream and riverbed cleanups, as well as a focus on education, outreach and recycling.

The Foundation has previously supported MUCC's On the Ground effort to enhance habitat on public land.

The Planet Awards are the first of three $500,000 grant allocations this year totaling $1.5 million. Requests for proposals for the People Awards and Prosperity Awards will open later this year.

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