Michigan’s State Wildlife Action Plan Revision Engagement Process
Levels of engagement follow the iap2 public participation spectrum.
Key DNR Staff (Collaborators)
Tony Henehan: Overall Lead: SWAP Coordinator- Wildlife Division;
Kevin Wehrly: Aquatic Chapter coordinator: Research Station Manager – Fisheries Division
Joe Nohner: Aquatic Chapter coordinator: Inland Lakes Specialist & Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership Coordinator – Fisheries Division
Jennifer Kleitch: Liaison: Wildlife Division liaison, Threatened and Endangered Species Specialist – Wildlife Division
Amy Bleisch: Liaison: Wildlife Division liaison, Threatened and Endangered Species Biologist – Wildlife Division
Heather Shaw: Liaison: Forest Resources Division liaison, Forest Biodiversity and Certification Specialist – Forest Resources Division
Greg Norwood: Liaison: Parks and Recreation Division liaison, Ecologist – Parks and Recreation Division
Staff Engagement (Collaborate)
DNR staff in Fisheries and Wildlife Divisions were engaged throughout the 2-year revision process through an iterative process drafting the SGCN list, chapter threats, actions, and goals. 60 Wildlife Division and 40 Fisheries Division staff participated in the update. Forest Resources Division and Parks and Recreation Division provided liaisons to provide direct edits and consultation through plan creation, as well as providing committee level review on final drafts.
Tribal Engagement (Consult and Collaborate)
All Tribes were consulted through Executive Division in June 2025. Additionally, the Wildlife Technical Committee for 1836 Ceded Territory tribes received a presentation on the SWAP and a request for participation in December 2024. During 2025, the SWAP Core Team invited input from tribal content experts within its professional network to review chapter drafts. Those who provided feedback and edits were then collaborated with on content.
Public Engagement (Consult)
The final draft of each chapter was available on the DNR’s website for a three-week public review and comment period in August 2025. The request for public review was distributed to more than 105,000 subscribers of DNR email communications. The distribution list included individual recipients as well as media outlets that circulate press releases through their own channels. We received and integrated 13 comments from the public on various chapter content.
Partners collaborated with:
These partners participated in virtual and in person revision meetings, provided feedback on draft content, and were engaged throughout the revision process:
American Bird Conservancy
Attorneys for Animals
Bay Mills Indian Community
Eastern Michigan University
Huron Pines
John Ball Zoo
Little River Band of Ottawa Indians
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy
Michigan Department of Natural Resources (Fisheries, Forestry, Parks & Rec, Wildlife Divisions)
Michigan Nature Association
Michigan Natural Features Inventory
Sault St. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Partners involved:
These partners received emails with draft content and updates throughout the SWAP revision process with requests for review, and provided feedback and comments on the draft SGCN list and chapter content over email or phone:
Audubon Great Lakes
Ducks Unlimited
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance
Little Traverse Conservancy
Michigan Botanical Society
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Geological Survey, Michigan Fish and Wildlife Cooperative Research Unit
Old-Growth Forest Network
Lake Superior State University
Partners consulted:
These partners received emails with draft content and updates throughout the SWAP revision process with requests for review:
GLIFWC
California University of Pennsylvania
Central Michigan University
Clinton River Watershed Council
Conservation Resource Alliance
Dahlem Environmental Education Center
Detroit Zoo
Friends of the Detroit River
Friends of the Rouge
Friends of the St. Clair River
Gates Au Sable Lodge
Grand Valley State University
Huron River Watershed Council
Kalamazoo County
Macomb County
Michigan Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (MARC)
Michigan Association of Conservation Districts
Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Michigan Technical University
National Association of Conservation Districts
Oakland County
PennVet Wildlife Futures Program
Pheasants Forever
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
Province of Ontario
Purdue University Ft. Wayne
Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy
Sarett Nature Center
Southwest Michigan Planning Commission
Superior Watersheds Partnership & Land Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy
The Stewardship Network
USDA
USGS
Washtenaw County
Wayne State University
Western Michigan University