Consumers Energy Foundation awards $100K to IPF for habitat restoration project
April 16, 2025
The Consumers Energy Foundation has awarded Michigan State University’s (MSU) Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF) $100,000 aimed at enhancing and sustaining the water quality, riverbanks, and natural health of the Red Cedar River.
The funding will support targeted work along the Red Cedar River to improve the health of the riverbanks through invasive species removal and the installation of rain and pollinator gardens.
Awarded through the Consumers Energy Foundation’s Planet Awards, these grants are intended to support projects that protect and restore Michigan’s natural resources. The foundation is the philanthropic division of Consumers Energy, with a key focus on community engagement. Since 1990, the Consumers Energy Foundation has invested in areas crucial to all in the Great Lakes State — including many partnerships with MSU.
“This investment empowers us to restore and protect one of our campus’s most vital natural assets — the Red Cedar River — while creating a healthier, more resilient ecosystem for generations to come,” says Matt Bailey, IPF Landscape Services manager.
With the support of this grant, IPF alongside campus partners like the W.J. Beal Garden will restore approximately 1,000 linear feet of riverbank by eliminating invasive vegetation and planting native trees, shrubs, and perennials, strengthening riverbank biodiversity. Nearly 8,000 square feet of rain and pollinator gardens will help manage stormwater runoff, reduce erosion, and support pollinator habitats. In addition, the site will be used to host educational events that connect students and the community to sustainable land and water stewardship practices.
“This project reflects our deep commitment to being spartan green,” says Laura Young, Sustainability Manager for MSU’s Office of Sustainability. “With the support of the Consumers Energy Foundation, we can build on our efforts to protect and enhance the natural resources on our beloved campus, while fostering a living laboratory for sustainability education and research.”
As part of the grant, MSU IPF will also provide data on environmental impact and help amplify the project’s outcomes through community events and engagement while providing long term support. In addition, the initiative will have positive effects extending into Ingham, Eaton, and Jackson counties through the Red Cedar River’s cumulative effects on the region.
The Red Cedar River, running through the heart of campus, serves as a vital natural feature for MSU’s education, outreach and engagement efforts. To learn more about MSU’s commitment to the Red Cedar River, please visit its sustainable facilites website.