Midwestern States Gain Nearly $11 Million to Help Wildlife through State Wildlife Grant Plan

The U.S.F.W.S. announced today nearly $11 million will be distributed to state fish and wildlife agencies in the Midwest to help conserve and recover imperiled fish and wildlife species through the State Wildlife Grant program.

The State Wildlife Grant Plan funds come from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which this year will distribute in excess of $61 million to fish and wildlife agencies across the 50 states, commonwealths, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.

"The conservation successes generated by the State Wildlife Grant Plan prove these funds are being put to very good use," said Tom Melius, Midwest Regional Director of the U.S.F.W.S.. "We are strategically investing in the restoration of our wetlands, prairies, forests, grasslands and aquatic habitats to benefit priority species in the Midwest."

Funds support planning and implementation activities that contribute directly to the development, modification or execution of a State's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Project (also known as a Wildlife Action Plan). Priority for use of these funds is placed on those species with the greatest conservation need, while also considering the relative level of backing accessible for the conservation of those species.

"In their Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plans, the states put together truly strategic documents aimed at directing limited resources to their highest priority species," said Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. "The State Wildlife Grant Plan represents exemplary conservation in action."

Considered the biggest wet prairie restoration effort in the world, the Scuppernong River Habitat Area plan in Wisconsin covers 3500 acres of wet prairie habitat including calcareous fens, and sedge meadow. State Wildlife Grant funds have been used for the past 3 years to remove invasive woody species and restore the area to native prairie, oak savanna and marsh. Upon plan completion, the habitat will benefit in excess of 35 species of greatest conservation need.

"In Wisconsin, State Wildlife Grant funds have helped us protect native animal species and the habitats upon which they depend through plans to restore and manage native natural communities on State Natural Areas, State Wildlife Areas, State Forests and other properties," said Signe Holtz, Director of the Endangered Resources Plan at Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. "These properties, like Scuppernong Prairie, are often the last refuge in the state for our Species of Greatest Conservation Need."

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has used SWG funds to collect data on wildlife species that are listed in their State Wildlife Action Project as species of greatest conservation need.

"Multiple species inventory and monitoring is critical to Iowa's wildlife conservation efforts. Never before have we attempted such a comprehensive assessment of all the state's wildlife," said Doug Harr, Wildlife Diversity/SWG Coordinator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. "State Wildlife Grant backing for this plan will help us make much better-informed wildlife and habitat management decisions in the future."

Apportionment figures for states in the Midwest are listed below (amount includes 2007 reverted funds and FY 2009 funds). For a complete apportionment list for all 50 states, commonwealths, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories, visit http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/

State Wildlife Grant Apportionments

Illinois $2,023,786
Indiana $1,054,232
Iowa $750,289
Michigan $1,664,502
Minnesota $1,217,497
Missouri $1,211,333
Ohio $1,744,566
Wisconsin $1,087,079
TOTAL $10,753,284

The State Wildlife Grants Plan provides grants to state and other eligible jurisdictions through a formula-based distribution calculated using the state's land area and population. Congress initiated this grant Plan in FY 2002 and funded it from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Since the program's inception, Congress has provided $502,246,708 for conservation work on state and private lands.

A state may Gain no in excess of five percent and no less than one percent of the accessible funds. The District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico each Gain 0.5 percent and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands each Gain 0.25 percent.

The mission of the U.S.F.W.S. is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov