Press Release
Pacific Region Tribes Receive more than $800,000 in Grants to Enhance and Restore Habitat and Protect Imperiled Species
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe today announced more than $4.6 million in Tribal Wildlife Grants that will fund a wide range of conservation projects by Native American Tribes in 17 states. These grants provide technical and financial assistance for development and implementation of projects that benefit fish and wildlife resources and their habitat, including non-game species. Of the grants awarded for the 2014 cycle, $819,241 will be given to tribes in Idaho and Washington.
"Tribal Wildlife Grants help our tribal partners fund and staff conservation projects of cultural and national significance," said Service Director Dan Ashe. "Tribal nations are our country's leading stewards on conservation efforts, and these grants open the doors for consultation opportunities to help conserve fish, wildlife, and plants for present and future generations."
Since 2003, more nearly $64 million has gone to Native American Tribes through the Tribal Wildlife Grants program, providing support for more than 380 conservation projects administered by participating federally recognized tribes. Tribes in Washington, Oregon and Idaho have received nearly $15 million since the program's inception and have successfully completed more than 65 conservation projects that have increased management capacity, improved and enhanced relationships with partners including state agencies, addressed cultural and environmental priorities, and heightened interest of tribal students in fisheries, wildlife and related fields of study.
"Tribal Wildlife Grants are much more than a fiscal resource for tribes. The projects and partnerships supported by this program have enhanced our commitment to Native Americans and to shared wildlife resources in the Pacific Northwest," said Pacific Regional Director Robyn Thorson. "This program has enhanced the Service's efforts to collaborate more effectively with Pacific Region tribes in conserving and restoring the vast diversity of fish and wildlife habitats they manage."
The grants are provided exclusively to federally recognized Indian tribal governments and are made possible under the Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2002 through the State and Tribal Wildlife Grant program. Proposals for the 2015 grant cycle are due September 2, 2014. For additional information about Native American conservation projects and the TWG Application Kit, go to http://www.fws.gov/nativeamerican/grants.html.
Grants Awarded in the Pacific Region are as follows:
The Swinomish Indian Tribe will receive $120,000 to restore an endemic species to native tidelands: Olympia oysters in Swinomish pocket estuaries
The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe will receive $199,616 for a mammalian and avian recolonization project on the de-watered reservoirs along the Lower Elwha River. The project will include streambank revegetation and habitat monitoring after the removal of the dam located in the Elwha Valley of Washington.
The Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho will receive $200,000 for the continued restoration of Bighorn sheep populations and their habitat along the Salmon River, Idaho.
The Tulalip Tribes of Washington is awarded $99,822 for monitoring fish and water resources on the Tulalip Tribes Indian reservation, Usual and Accustomed lands, and marine waters of the Pacific Northwest.
The Confederated Bands and Tribes of the Yakama Nation has been awarded $199,803 to enhance the current Shrub-Steppe Species Restoration Project.
"Tribal Wildlife Grants help our tribal partners fund and staff conservation projects of cultural and national significance," said Service Director Dan Ashe. "Tribal nations are our country's leading stewards on conservation efforts, and these grants open the doors for consultation opportunities to help conserve fish, wildlife, and plants for present and future generations."
Since 2003, more nearly $64 million has gone to Native American Tribes through the Tribal Wildlife Grants program, providing support for more than 380 conservation projects administered by participating federally recognized tribes. Tribes in Washington, Oregon and Idaho have received nearly $15 million since the program's inception and have successfully completed more than 65 conservation projects that have increased management capacity, improved and enhanced relationships with partners including state agencies, addressed cultural and environmental priorities, and heightened interest of tribal students in fisheries, wildlife and related fields of study.
"Tribal Wildlife Grants are much more than a fiscal resource for tribes. The projects and partnerships supported by this program have enhanced our commitment to Native Americans and to shared wildlife resources in the Pacific Northwest," said Pacific Regional Director Robyn Thorson. "This program has enhanced the Service's efforts to collaborate more effectively with Pacific Region tribes in conserving and restoring the vast diversity of fish and wildlife habitats they manage."
The grants are provided exclusively to federally recognized Indian tribal governments and are made possible under the Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2002 through the State and Tribal Wildlife Grant program. Proposals for the 2015 grant cycle are due September 2, 2014. For additional information about Native American conservation projects and the TWG Application Kit, go to http://www.fws.gov/nativeamerican/grants.html.
Grants Awarded in the Pacific Region are as follows:
The Swinomish Indian Tribe will receive $120,000 to restore an endemic species to native tidelands: Olympia oysters in Swinomish pocket estuaries
The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe will receive $199,616 for a mammalian and avian recolonization project on the de-watered reservoirs along the Lower Elwha River. The project will include streambank revegetation and habitat monitoring after the removal of the dam located in the Elwha Valley of Washington.
The Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho will receive $200,000 for the continued restoration of Bighorn sheep populations and their habitat along the Salmon River, Idaho.
The Tulalip Tribes of Washington is awarded $99,822 for monitoring fish and water resources on the Tulalip Tribes Indian reservation, Usual and Accustomed lands, and marine waters of the Pacific Northwest.
The Confederated Bands and Tribes of the Yakama Nation has been awarded $199,803 to enhance the current Shrub-Steppe Species Restoration Project.
