Interior Secretary Gale Norton has awarded $1,498,896 in matching grants to Texas Parks and Wildlife to work in partnership with private or municipal landowners for the conservation of threatened and endangered species.
The grants are designed to give local communities greater flexibility to conserve species at risk while reducing conflicts between conservation and land development. Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act provides funds to States and territories, and through them, to communities and individuals, for species and habitat recovery actions on non-Federal lands.
"These grants are very much in line with my philosophy that states should be given more resources and greater flexibility to protect habitat and conserve threatened and endangered species," said Secretary Norton. "States will use these grants to strengthen and build vital and cost-effective conservation partnerships with local communities and willing private landowners - partnerships that are essential to helping species prosper and recover."
Here are a list of the Texas projects that will be funded:
Houston Toad Regional Habitat Conservation Plan
(Bastrop County) A $300,000 grant will help project partners complete and implement a regional HCP for the federally endangered Houston toad. By completing a regional HCP, plan participants hope to secure sufficient habitat in the region to assure the future of the Houston toad in Bastrop County. This HCP will help streamline the endangered species compliance process for local citizens and allow for better coordination of mitigation and management strategies for the toad and species covered by surrounding HCPs. The HCP would also benefit other unique plants and animals in the area, which includes bogs and wetlands providing habitat for over 200 species of migratory birds. The area also supports nesting and wintering bald eagles, the short-tailed shrew, and an isolated population of the gold-striped darter.Griffith League Ranch Habitat Conservation Plan
(Bastrop County) A $260,119 grant will assist the Boy Scouts of America in implementing research and monitoring activities on their ranch that will improve knowledge about the federally endangered Houston toad, including its habitat requirements and effective management strategies. The Griffith League Ranch, which will be the focus of monitoring efforts, represents a large and significant portion of remaining high quality Houston toad habitat. Grant monies will also be used to prepare and implement education and outreach programs to support recovery of the toad throughout its range.Conservation of the Little Aguja Pondweed and Associated Rare Species in the Davis Mountains
(Jeff Davis County)
