DESCRIPTION:MICHIGAN DNR WILL LEAD A COLLABORATIVE STATE INITIATIVE WITH PARTNERS AND INDUSTRY LEADERS TO CREATE A VOLUNTARY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR FIREWOOD, MULCH AND FILL SALE AND PURCHASE, ULTIMATELY REDUCING CONTINUED SPREAD OF INVASIVE SPECIES THROUGH THIS PATHWAY. ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE DEVELOPING A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM IN COLLABORATION WITH THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (MDARD) AND MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, GREAT LAKES, AND ENERGY (EGLE) USING SUCCESSFUL STATE AND NATIONAL MODELS. MICHIGAN'S PROGRAM WILL BEGIN WITH TARGETING INDUSTRIES AND CONSUMERS IN HIGH-RISK AREAS INCLUDING SENSITIVE DUNE HABITATS AND HIGH-USE STATE PARK CAMPGROUNDS. OUTREACH EFFORTS WILL ALSO TARGET PROGRAMS LIKE MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM AND BUSINESSES KNOWN TO SELL FIREWOOD, FILL, OR BULK MULCH. SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE THE CREATION AND LAUNCH OF THE CERTIFIED PRODUCTS PROGRAMS, WHICH WILL ENABLE MICHIGAN TO IMPROVE AND PROTECT ITS EFFORTS TO ADDRESS INVASIVE SPECIES PATHWAYS. OUTCOME INCLUDES IMPROVED PREVENTION OF INTRODUCTION AND SPREAD OF HIGH-PRIORITY INVASIVE SPECIES SUCH AS ASIAN LONGHORN BEETLE, PHRAGMITES, MILE-A-MINUTE WEED, AND THOSE SPECIES NOT KNOWN IN MICHIGAN, AS WELL AS MORE ESTABLISHED SPECIES. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES ARE ALL THOSE WHO LIVE, RECREATE, OR WORK IN THE MICHIGAN COUNTIES (INGHAM, MARQUETTE, WAYNE, CALHOUN, LAPEER.)