A few of the fiscal year 97 projects include an agreement between the Service and BP Alaska to development data bases to store and retrieve spectacled eider information, an agreement between the Service and the North Slope Bureau School District to sponsor migratory bird teacher workshops, including classroom presentations in schools on the North Slope and an agreement between the Service and the Wildlife Federation of Alaska to educate the business community about the importance of wetlands.
Each year the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) builds partnerships and provides funding support for a wide range of projects through a program called, the Challenge Cost Share Program. The Challenge Cost Share Program provides opportunities for partners to get involved by matching funds with the Service for projects that support management, restoration and protection of natural resources.
Under the established guidelines, the Service (on the Regional level) provides up to 50 percent of the cost for qualifying projects and the partners/cooperators provide no less than 50 percent. Partners may provide their share of the cost in the form of cash, materials, equipment, land, water or other qualifying in-kind services. The partners list always includes State, local and private entities.
In 1996, the Service in Alaska matched funds for 37 projects around the State, and provided $455,000. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principle federal agency with responsibility for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats. The Service manages more than 500 National Wildlife Refuges (16 in Alaska) with more than 90 million acres of land (more than 77 million acres in Alaska), and manages more than 70 fish hatcheries.
For individuals or groups interested in learning more about the Program, contact Bill Kirk with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at (907)786-3391.
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