Interior Secretary Salazar Awards Nearly $600,000
Imperiled Species Conservation in Driftless Area
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced an award of $559,602 to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Iowa DNR for imperiled fish and wildlife conservation and management through the State Wildlife Grants (SWG) Competitive Program. The federal funding, which is part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s State Wildlife Grants Program, will be matched by $397, 486 in non-Federal funds provided by the State agencies and their partners.
The grant is part of nearly $9 million in SWG Competitive Program funds awarded to twelve state wildlife agencies across the country to help imperiled fish, wildlife and plant species.
“The projects funded by these grants target some of the most imperiled species and habitats in the United States. They’re also among the most effective, because they are tied to well thought-out conservation plans that identify the highest priorities in each state – as well as the areas where we can make the biggest difference for imperiled species,” said Salazar.
Led by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, this project will benefit the 16,203 square mile Driftless Area in southwest Wisconsin, southeast Minnesota, northeast Iowa, and northwest Illinois.
“The Driftless Area contains some of the highest quality remnants of oak savanna, prairies, forests and streams remaining in the upper Midwest states, and provides habitat for plant and animal species that are unique to this area,” said Heidi Nelson, state grant coordinator with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. “This grant will help federal, state and nongovernmental organizations work with private landowners for successful species and habitat conservation in the driftless region.”
The project will provide financial and technical assistance to private landowners to voluntarily manage their property for the benefit of species of concern and will support efforts to locate new properties with restorable native habitat.
The SWG Competitive Program awards grants to projects that implement strategies and actions to conserve imperiled species contained in approved State Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plans (also known as State Wildlife Action Plans). Grants are scored using criteria developed by a team of Service and state wildlife agency directors. Funding for the grants comes from Fiscal Year 2008 and 2009 appropriations for the SWG Competitive Program.
All 56 states and territorial wildlife agencies have approved State Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plans, which collectively provide a nationwide blueprint for actions to conserve imperiled species. The Plans were created through a collaborative effort among state and federal agencies, biologists, conservationists, landowners, sportsmen and the general public. Each Plan was then reviewed and approved by a national team that included members from the Fish and Wildlife Service as well as directors from state wildlife agencies.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 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
