US grant aids tree-planting to aid endangered bird

BAGLEY TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — The U.S. is giving a private nature protection group $171,000 to expand habitat in northern Michigan for the endangered Kirtland's warbler.

WCMU-FM (http://bit.ly/1a5QFxA ) says the U.S. Fish and Wildlife grant goes to the group Huron Pines. It's based south of Gaylord in Otsego County's Bagley Township.

The group has matching funds so that more than $300,000 to plant 2 million jack pine seedlings in Kirtland's warbler management areas.

Huron Pines project coordinator Abigail Ertel says the aim is to maintain a habitat of jack pine trees from 5 to 15 years old for the nesting songbirds.

Ertel says the program started in July and runs through September 2014.

http://www.westport-news.com/news/science/article/US-grant-aids-tree-planting-to-aid-endangered-bird-4733370.php