The agency will supply over $55 million to states wildlife agencies
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is allocating over $55 million to state fish and wildlife agencies through the State Wildlife Grant Program to conserve top-priority wildlife. The funding will help states protect and manage species of conservation need, promote the recovery of wildlife and conserve habitats. “The State Wildlife Grant Program supports conservation actions aimed at avoiding new federal listings of threatened and endangered species, recovering those species already listed and ensuring healthy populations of each state’s top-priority fish and wildlife species for future generations,” said Paul Souza, the acting director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “We are pleased to be working with these partners to protect America’s natural resources and wild places.” The agency provides these grants to all states, commonwealths, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. The amount of funding each receives is based on a congressionally mandated formula developed by population size and geographic area. States must use the funds to address conservation needs based on each State Wildlife Action Plan, which documents each state’s highest conservation properties.