What Are State Wildlife Grants?
The State Wildlife Grants program provides federal dollars to every
state and territory to support cost-effective conservation aimed
at preventing wildlife from becoming endangered. Congress created
the program in 2001 as part of the Conservation Trust Fund. Funds
appropriated under the State Wildlife Grants program are allocated
to the states according to a formula that takes into account each
state’s size and population.
America’s Wildlife at Stake
United States laws and policies place the primary responsibility
for wildlife management in the hands of the 50 states. State fish
and wildlife agencies have a lengthy success record of conserving
game species, thanks to the contributions of hunter and angler license
fees and federal excise taxes.
But 90 percent of our nation’s wildlife is not hunted or
fished for. The result? There is a serious gap in wildlife conservation
funding, and thousands of species are falling through the cracks.
More than 1,000 species are already listed as federally threatened
and endangered, with many more under consideration.
Funding for On-The-Ground Wildlife Conservation
State Wildlife Grants support projects that prevent wildlife from
declining to the point of being endangered. The goal of the program
is to keep common species common. Projects supported by State Wildlife
Grants restore degraded habitat, reintroduce native wildlife, develop
partnerships with private landowners, educate the public, and collect
data to find out more about declining species. Statewide strategic
plans, currently being developed by each state, will ensure that
funds are spent wisely and effectively on actions to restore and
enhance wildlife populations and habitat.
Fiscally Responsible Conservation
State Wildlife Grants save taxpayers millions of dollars. Taking
action to conserve wildlife before it becomes endangered is environmentally
sound and fiscally responsible. Once a species drops to the point
of potential extinction, recovery efforts become risky and expensive.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. A non-federal match
requirement assures local ownership and leverages funds to support
conservation. For each federal dollar appropriated, double or more
funds are generated from other sources.
Broad and Bipartisan Support
A boost in funding for 2004 to $70 million (from $65 million in
2003) demonstrates the high level of bipartisan backing in Congress
during lean economic times. The Teaming With Wildlife coalition
– made up of more than 3,000 groups, including hunters and
anglers, environmentalists, and tourism and other nature-related
businesses – is united to support a bright future for America’s
wildlife.
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