Superior Watershed Partnership volunteer Nathan Yaussy plants native dune grass at McCarty’s Cove in Marquette. The Superior Watershed Partnership recently received a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant. The Great Lakes Climate Corps and project partners will implement three green infrastructure projects. (Journal file photo)

MARQUETTE — The Superior Watershed Partnership received a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant for $216,395 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service for an Upper Peninsula project, the Northern Tribal and Community Green Infrastructure Collaborative. Project partners include the city of Ishpeming, Hannahville Indian Community and Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.

The Great Lakes Climate Corps and project partners will implement three green infrastructure projects that include planting over 5,800 climate-adaptive native trees and over 600 native shrubs at prioritized sites with an estimated reduction of over 700,000 gallons of untreated stormwater runoff annually.

Other benefits of green infrastructure projects include erosion control, reducing nutrient loading and improving habitat conditions for wildlife and important pollinator species. The three projects will benefit the waters of Lake Superior — KBIC and Ishpeming — and Lake Michigan for Hannahville.

Capturing untreated stormwater runoff at these priority locations targets pollutants that can enter the Great Lakes as a result of increased development pressures, climate change impacts and unprecedented tourism, the SWP said. Specifically, green infrastructure projects mitigate sediment, algae blooms, nitrates and phosphorus pollutants impacting Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.

This collaborative effort uses the GLCC, community partners and local volunteers for on-the-ground implementation, education and outreach. To get involved, contact the SWP at 906-228-6095 or kathleen@superiorwatershedsorg.