Ford House Receives Historic Grant to Restore Ford Cove Shoreline Habitat from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grant will provide Ford House with up to $7 million to support the restoration of natural habitats of Ford Cove and along almost one mile of Lake St. Clair shoreline, benefiting several native Great Lakes species.

“NOAA is proud to support the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House in their important work to restore habitat and bring benefits to Great Lakes fisheries and communities,” said Sunny Snider, deputy director of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation.

This project will reduce the impact of waves and flooding, reduce polluted runoff and nutrient loads, and increase recreational fishing opportunities. It will also increase public access to the inaccessible shoreline for future educational and recreational activities. NOAA considers this project one of the top three priority coastal restoration projects in the State of Michigan.

“Knowing that the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration has put their trust in Ford House to care for and protect our native species and the remarkable shoreline is, simply put, tremendous,” says Ford House President & CEO Mark J. Heppner. “Eleanor and Edsel Ford truly loved their home and this beautiful community. It is wonderful knowing that we can continue to serve as stewards of Eleanor’s wishes while having greater impact and relevancy.”

“It’s absolutely transformational,” says Kevin Drotos, Ford House Landscape and Natural Areas Manager and Project Manager for this Federal grant. “At some point in the past, concrete and cement slabs were placed along the shoreline of Ford Cove to protect it from erosion. But doing so actually harms the natural habitats of many native species. By restoring the shoreline to its natural condition, we can support our local wildlife and provide more sustainable care to the estate and its shoreline

Phase One of the project includes an initial $490,000 award to begin engineering and design work. Project implementation is expected to occur between ten to twelve months after the engineering and design phase.

“We know that this may disrupt some of the experiences that visitors have come to enjoy,” adds Heppner, “but in the end, this enormous project will be transformational for everyone: our guests, members, staff, the community, and Mother Nature. We aim to leverage this project to become a leader in environmental stewardship and help ensure a more sustainable future.”

Ford House has launched a new section of its website to share updates and more details on continued and new sustainability programs. Visitors can learn more at www.fordhouse.org/sustainability.

About Ford House

Edsel & Eleanor Ford House is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization and National Historic Landmark dedicated to preserving and sharing the legacy of the Ford Family. Ford House is located at 1100 Lake Shore Rd. in Grosse Pointe Shores. The historic lakeside estate was the family home of Edsel Ford – Henry and Clara Ford’s only son – where he lived with his wife Eleanor and their children beginning in 1928. Since 1978, Ford House has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors to share Eleanor Ford’s vision of preserving the estate for future generations through interpretive tours, family activities, lectures, exhibits, gardens, and grounds events. It inspires, educates, and engages visitors through the exploration of its unique connections to art, design, history, and the environment while celebrating family traditions and community relationships. For more information, visit www.fordhouse.org or call (313) 884- 4222, and connect with Ford House on Facebook and Instagram.