Interior Secretary Salazar Awards Alaska More than $3 Million to Help Wildlife

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today that more than $61 million will be distributed to the fish and wildlife agencies of the 50 states, commonwealths, the District of Columbia, territories, to help conserve and recover imperiled fish and wildlife through the (also known as a Wildlife Action Plan). Implementation activities are activities designed to execute their Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan. Priority for use of these funds is placed on those species with the greatest conservation need, while also considering the relative level of funding available for the conservation of those species.

The State Wildlife Grants program 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 program 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. Please visit the Services Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program web site at http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/Subpages/GrantPrograms/SWG/SWG09Apportionment.pdf for state, commonwealth, and territory funding allocations. 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 /www.fws.gov.