Two factors known to negatively affect wildlife populations in northern latitudes are low habitat diversity and severe winter weather this project will create favorable habitats for a host of…

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awarded a $274,241 Tribal Wildlife Grant (CFDA 15.639) to the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians in Minnesota on January 1, 2025. This 2-year project grant will create favorable habitats for white-tailed deer and golden-winged warblers, two species that have been negatively impacted by low habitat diversity and severe winter weather in northern latitudes. The project activities will help offset the effects of changing habitat conditions and support the subsistence harvest of fish and game, which is extremely important for the tribal members. The grant funding will enable the Red Lake Band to develop and implement conservation programs that benefit wildlife, their habitats, and species of cultural or traditional importance to the tribe.

Two factors known to negatively affect wildlife populations in northern latitudes are low habitat diversity and severe winter weather this project will create favorable habitats for a host of species dependent on early successional forest types with a primary focus on white tailed deer and golden winged warblers project activities will help offset effects of changing habitat conditions that have led to over mature cover types likely caused by reduced natural disturbance events EG wildfiresubsistence harvest of fish and game is extremely important for members of the red lake band of chippewa and white tailed deer are a major source of protein for many tribal families during the past 5 years northern minnesota has experienced moderate to severe winters based on snow depth and prolonged periods of cold temperatures these harsh winters have reduced deer populations in many northern minnesota forested areas deer populations can recover relatively quickly with a series of mild winters however the rate of local population recovery is dependent on the availability of quality food and cover