Upper Peninsula Rc & D

What it reported doing in 2025

Fisheries habitat grant program-- au train lake cooperative habitat enhancement iniative. This project proposes to work directly with riparian landowners found along the shoreline of au train lake to educate on the importance of shoreline vegetation and in-water habitat structures. Project partners will reintroduce 90-330 coarse woody debris structures throughout the lake, resulting in aquatic habitat enhancement and boosting fish populations. Project has been completed and closed out on 2/27/25. Glri cwma hiawatha national forest pa--managing invasive phragmites across the hiawatha national forest--the purpose of this agreement is to utilize great lake restoration initiative funds to suppress non-native phragmites in priority areas aong the great lakes coastline of the hiawatha national forest in partnership with the up rc & d. Pristine great lakes coastal wetlands, shorelines, inland lakes, streams and forests are threatend by the invasion of non-native phragmites. This agreement would utilize this partnership to strategically treat 60 acres of invasive phragmites and expand detection surveys over 400 acres across the hiawatha national forest. A modification was added by united states forest service, allocating an additional 60,000 to the project, in addition to extending the agreement until 8/23/2027. Forest pollinators pa--the purpose of this agreement is to utilize great lake restoration initiative funds to enhance habitat for sharp-tailed grouse and pollinators across the hiawatha national forest in partnership with the up rc & d. Nectaring opportunities would be improved along utility corridors and openings to provide connection corridors and improve migratory pathways for pollinators. This agreement would strategically treat 15 acres of utility corridor and openings with wildflowers on the hiawatha national forest. Agreement expires 12/31/2028. Michigan invasive species grant program--three shores cisma core functions-sub award to up rc & d through the chippewa luce mackinac conservation district. This will complete planning and management work associated with habitat restoration on the maxton plains of drummond island, in addition to building partnership capacity capacity through additional grant pursuit. Project closed 9/4/25. Environmental protection agency-great lakes restoration iniative--expanding phragmites management in Michigan's upper peninsula. Facitiliated a up wide effort to functionaly eradicate phragmites from Michigan's upper peninsula, in particular the lake superior watershed through a joint partnership effort with dnr fisheries division and all 5 up cisma's to survey 8,750 linear miles and treat 77 acres. Project officially closed 12/31/24. A small amount of payroll occurred in january 2025 for work done in december 2024. Michigan invasive species grant program--enhancing surveillance for hwa across Michigan's upper peninsula. The up rc & d council will utilize the partnerships of 3 up cisma's to expand edrr efforts for Michigan watch list species, hemlock woolly adelgid, through targeted outreach and detection survey on public & private lands across 8 Michigan counties. Project will close 4/30/27. Us fish & wildlife coastal program--sub award to up rc & d. The up rc & d council will receive a sub award from three shores cisma fiduciary, the chippewa luce mackinac conservation district, to establish 30 sites within a selected region of great lakes marsh, and conduct secretive marshbird surveys. The project goal is to compare the presence/absence data of various species, with the presence/absence of the invasive species, european frog-bit. Up rc & d staff will also aid in 4 removal efforts with cisma staff during the summers of 2025 and 2026. Project is due to conclude 12/31/26. Point aux chenes sensitive species protection & habitat enhancement pa--the purpose of this agreement is to utilize great lake restoration initiative funds to enhance habitats for federally listed and regional forester's sensi

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 80.5%; rating input score 81
• Program expense ratio: 75.5%; rating input score 76
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Limited
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 5 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 62
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -6.6%; rating input score 23; 23rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.11; rating input score 7; 7th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.06; rating input score 26; 26th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 7.4%; rating input score 29; 29th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -0.8% per year; rating input score 0; 26th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 3.8% per year; rating input score 100; 40th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 3% per year; rating input score 100; 35th percentile among comparable filings