State Wildlife Grants

Transcription

1 State Wildlife Grants F i v e -Y e a r A c c o m p l i s h m e n t R e p o r t Cost-effective Conservation to Prevent Wildlife from Becoming Endangered

2 On the cover: migratory Mexican free-tailed bats, photograph courtesy of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation; background illustration (early engraving): Carolina parakeets. Before 1800, great numbers of Carolina parakeets were widely distributed throughout the eastern United States to the Great Plains. At the dawn of the 20 th century they were gone from the wild. The last known captive bird died in the Cincinnati Zoo in Carolina Parakeet mounted specimen Used with permission of the University of Amsterdam Photograph by Huub Veldhuijzen van Zanten, ETI On the back cover: Monarch butterflies, photograph courtesy of the Ohio Division of Wildlife 10% Recycled Content Post-Consumer Waste

3 Teaming with Wildlife is a national coalition of more than 3,000 organizations working to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered by supporting increased state and federal funding for wildlife conservation, outdoor recreation and conservation education in every state. This coalition includes wildlife biologists, state wildlife agencies, conservationists, hunters, anglers, birdwatchers, businesses, and many others who support the goal of restoring and conserving our nation s wildlife. Contents Photos courtesy of Ohio Division of Wildlife State Wildlife Grants: Preventing Wildlife from Becoming Endangered A History of Wildlife Conservation State Wildlife Grants at Work Investing in Wildlife Working Together for Wildlife Carrying on the Legacy: The Next Five Years State-by-State Funding Table State-by-State Success Stories U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF TH E INTERIOR Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 444 North Capitol St., Suite 725 Washington, D.C (202) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Division of Federal Assistance 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MBSP 4020 Arlington, VA This document was produced through a joint effort of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It was funded in part by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Document written by Rebecca Brooke with assistance from Naomi Edelson, Dave Chadwick, Rachel Brittin, Sean Robertson, Genevieve LaRouche and Chris Burkett. Booklet designed and printed by the Graphics Staff of the Ohio Division of Wildlife.

4 F ive years ago, Congress made an important decision to invest in wildlife and natural areas by creating the State Wildlife Grants Program. Carl Heilman II, Wild Visions, Inc. State Wildlife Grants help states conserve, restore, and actively manage our nation s wildlife and the places they live. This essential funding fosters cooperation and partnership among the federal government and states, local governments, conservation groups, private landowners, and others with a commitment to the health of our land and water, fish, and wildlife. Dale Hall, Director U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service State Wildlife Grants provide federal money to every state and territory for cost-effective conservation aimed at preventing wildlife from becoming endangered. With strong bipartisan support, State Wildlife Grants were recently described by Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton as, our nation s primary conservation program for keeping species healthy and off the list of threatened and endangered species. On its fifth anniversary, this accomplishment report examines the State Wildlife Grants Program and highlights the following: The proactive nature of the State Wildlife Grants Program The cost-effective approach State Wildlife Grants bring to conserving wildlife The partnerships created by State Wildlife Grants projects This program is now an essential funding source for state fish and wildlife agencies, allowing them to engage conservation partners in restoring and actively managing our nation s declining wildlife and the places they live. At a time when the federal Endangered Species List tops 1,300 species and continues to grow, the State Wildlife Grants Program provides one of the nation s only proactive and cost-effective ways to work together to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered. The benefits of State Wildlife Grants projects will reverberate for generations to come. By providing critical funding for the states and territories to conserve, manage and restore wildlife and natural areas, State Wildlife Grants are helping to protect America s outdoor family traditions that bring peace and relaxation to our daily lives. In the past five years, State Wildlife Grants have resulted in the type of successful conservation that is a true victory for both wildlife and people. Peregrine falcon Brad Winn, Georgia DNR John Cooper, President, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Secretary, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

5 State Wildlife Grants: Preventing Wildlife from Becoming Endangered Before the creation of State Wildlife Grants, there was virtually no federal funding focused on preventing wildlife from becoming endangered. Congress addressed this need in 2000, when, at the persistent urging of the Teaming with Wildlife Coalition, they created the State Wildlife Grants Program. In creating State Wildlife Grants, Congress recognized that providing funds for proactive conservation would prevent wildlife from becoming more rare and more costly to protect. In its first five years, $340 million has been appropriated for the State Wildlife Grants Program and allocated to every state and territories fish and wildlife agency according to a formula based on land size and population. State Wildlife Grants have enabled state wildlife agencies to r e s t o r e d e c l i n i n g species, improve habitat, and actively manage wildlife. In the process, the program has built State Wildlife Grants projects range in size and scope to fit the specific needs of each state. Whether helping to restore long-leaf pine forests in Georgia, gathering baseline information on cold-water fish in Montana s streams, or working with private landowners to conserve the tricolored blackbird in California, State Wildlife Grants are taking a preventive approach to wildlife conservation. Projects may address the needs of a specific species that is at risk of becoming endangered or take a habitat approach that will benefit multiple types of wildlife. Acting to conserve wildlife before it becomes rare is environmentally sound and fiscally responsible. Federal dollars for the program are augmented by the requirement that states and territories match State Wildlife Grants with state or private funds. In an era of tight budgets, Snapping turtle State Wildlife Agencies: Our Conservation Leaders State fish and wildlife agencies are on the front lines of conservation as stewards of our nation s wildlife. These agencies are the legal entity responsible for wildlife within the borders of each state, on both public and private land. They undertake conservation, recreation, and education projects that benefit the public, and work with partners to ensure their success. As conservation leaders, state fish and wildlife agencies work on a daily basis to conserve wildlife and natural areas for future generations. Ohio Division of Wildlife relationships with conservation partners, including universities, conservation organizations, sportsmen s groups, local municipalities, and others. Although the State Wildlife Grants Program has only begun to reach its full potential, this collaboration has already catalyzed the State Wildlife Grants program demonstrates how limited federal funds can be invested to get the greatest results for wildlife and taxpayers. additional funding for wildlife conservation and resulted in better wildlife management. Indiana DNR Osprey State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

6 A History of Wildlife Conservation The United States has a history of wildlife conservation that spans more than 100 years. Americans first noticed a decline in many once common wildlife in the mid-1800s, when, as a result of commercial hunting, the number of important game animals such as bison, white-tailed deer, and beaver began to decline. In order to address this growing threat, Massachusetts established the first Game Department in New Hampshire and California followed in These forerunners of the modern-day state fish and wildlife agencies used hunting and fishing licenses to manage wildlife populations, prevent over-harvesting, and bring in much needed revenue The Value of Wildlife Health Clean air. Fresh water. Healthy wildlife and people. The health of wildlife is often an indicator of disease and pollution that affect us all. Identifying and preventing problems that threaten wildlife is the first step in protecting our own health and the health of our children. By conserving wildlife and natural places, state wildlife agencies and conservation partners help to keep wildlife and people healthy. continued on page 5 Idaho Fish and Game Department As wildlife continued to decline into the 20th century, game departments tried to take a more active role in managing wildlife populations, but often lacked the necessary funding. Congress reacted by passing the Wildlife Restoration Act (also known as the Pittman-Robertson Act) in 1937, which placed a user fee in the form of an excise tax on hunting ammunition and firearms. The Sport Fish Restoration Act (also known as the Dingell-Johnson Act) followed in 1950, with a similar excise tax on fishing rods, reels, lures, and flies. The 1984 Wallop-Breaux Amendment expanded the Act to include other boating and angling gear. The average annual amount that the states receive through these two acts is $450 million per year. For decades, these user-based funding sources helped fish and wildlife agencies manage game species with great results. However, the number of non-game species, which account for nearly 90 percent of our nation s wildlife, continued to decline. In 1973, Congress took further action with the passage of the Endangered Species Act, providing limited funds to help states conserve species that might otherwise disappear forever. As the Endangered Species List continued to grow, the Teaming with Wildlife Coalition formed to call for funding to address problems early on and avoid costly, intensive measures for the recovery of wildlife. In 2000, Congress responded by creating the State Wildlife Grants Program, which provided a significant new source of funding for state wildlife diversity programs. The wildlife diversity programs of the state fish and wildlife agencies are responsible for the 90 percent of wildlife that are neither hunted nor fished. Historically under funded, State Wildlife Grants have infused wildlife diversity programs with critical new money, allowing them to take proactive measures to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered. State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

7 State Wildlife Grants at Work State Wildlife Grants are helping a diversity of wildlife in a diversity of ways, all across the nation. From wetland restoration to invasive species management, State Wildlife Grants deal with the most pressing problems facing America s wildlife. Importantly, State Wildlife Grants allow each state to design projects specifically tailored to their particular needs. The following are examples of State Wildlife Grants projects across the nation. Each demonstrates the variety of ways in which states are tackling common problems and taking proactive measures to conserve America s wildlife and vital natural areas. To learn more about State Wildlife Grant projects in your state, refer to the state-by-state success stories at the end of this report. Restoration: Bringing Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Before wildlife become rare, there are practical steps that state fish and wildlife agencies can take to help conserve them. Restoring declining wildlife and the places they live is one important way that State Wildlife Grants are helping to prevent endangered species listings. Working together to reintroduce species and bring back the natural places that they and we depend on is both cost-effective and smart. Wetland Restoration In many states, State Wildlife Grants are helping to conserve and restore wetlands, a critical habitat for many types of migratory birds and an ecosystem that harbors plants and good bacteria that behave like a sewage treatment facility, cleaning the water that Ohio Division of Wildlife wildlife and people rely on. Unfortunately, wetlands are rapidly d i s a p p e a r i n g a n d taking many types of wildlife with them; at least one third of the nation s threatened or endangered species live in wetlands. continued from page 4 The Economy Healthy wildlife and clean, natural places are an investment with a real monetary return. Wildlife enthusiasts spend significant amounts of money on outdoor equipment and travel and lodging in order to spend time outdoors. In 2001, wildlife-related recreation contributed $108 billion to the U.S. economy. By acting to conserve wildlife, state wildlife agencies and conservation partners are protecting an important economic investment. Family Traditions Going on camping trips with family and friends. Fishing in the local river with your son or daughter. Watching a flock of birds at sunset. Spending time in nature provides us with a sense of peace and relaxation that is often hard to find in our busy lives. By acting to conserve wildlife and natural areas, state wildlife agencies and conservation partners can ensure that these family traditions are carried on and that future generations can continue to enjoy the great outdoors. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

8 the health of amphibians is an indicator of overall ecosystem well-being. Restoration: continued Wisconsin has recently embarked on a wetland and grassland restoration project covering 2,200 acres. With help from State Wildlife Grants and the USDA Wetland Reserve Program, this project focused on restoring and improving wildlife habitat in wetlands in a heavily populated area of the state. As a result, the endangered whooping crane has been spotted on the site, providing clear evidence of the value of establishing and protecting wetland habitat. Many other states including Missouri, Indiana, Georgia, and Illinois are also using State Wildlife Grants to restore wetlands. Ohio Division of Wildlife Columbia spotted frog Chiricahua leopard frog Reintroducing Frogs Frogs, like many amphibians, face threats from pollution, habitat loss, and disease. Improving their populations is important because the health of amphibians is an indicator of overall ecosystem well-being. State Wildlife Grant money is now being used in multiple states to help restore declining frog species. The Columbia spotted frog is a candidate species for listing under the Endangered Species Act. In Utah, State Wildlife Grant funds were used to cooperate with Summit County, Utah and the owners of the Schwaner Nature Preserve near Park City to reintroduce tadpoles of the frog onto preserve lands. One year later, a population of the frogs appears to have been established. This successful reintroduction will provide a second population of the Columbia spotted frog and prevent the species from becoming endangered. A reintroduction program is also underway in New Mexico, where State Wildlife Grants are being used to return the Chiricahua leopard frog to the mountains, valleys, and rivers where it historically lived. After reintroducing the frogs to new habitat, biologists use radio transmitters to track how the frogs adapt to their new homes. This type of monitoring provides information that may help keep the Chiricahua leopard frogs off the endangered species list and also indicates what reintroduction methods work best so state fish and wildlife agencies can carry out future restoration projects even more efficiently. State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

9 Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Better knowledge results in more informed and more effective conservation decisions. State Wildlife Grants are helping to fund research projects that will help state wildlife biologists better conserve, manage, and restore wildlife across the nation. Whether assessing salt marsh bird nesting success or cataloging dragonfly species, State Wildlife Grants projects are equipping states with the knowledge they need to make the best decisions for wildlife and for people. Freshwater Mussel Research The health of freshwater mussels is an early indicator of disease and pollution that affects us all. Within the last 100 years, Two states, Ohio and Alabama have used State Wildlife Grants to partially fund research and education centers that are dedicated Grants are being used to determine mussel distribution and population numbers. mussels have declined due to water pollution and sedimentation, construction of dams and other man-made structures, and the introduction of invasive species. Scientists need reliable information about mussel populations and State Wildlife Grants are helping them gather this information to take action to conserve mussels and protect clean water. In Minnesota, New York, Virginia, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Alabama, State Wildlife Grants are being used to determine mussel distribution and population numbers. Repeating these surveys over time may serve 1) as an indicator of improving or degrading water quality, 2) to determine the exact cause and effect that various activities in the watershed have on mussels, and 3) to enable adaptive management, so the effectiveness of particular management practices can be assessed and changed in time. to conservation and research for a whole host of aquatic animals, including mussels. These facilities will help wildlife managers understand the biology of imperiled mussels, with the goal of restoring and bolstering mussel populations. Ultimately, understanding the relationship between freshwater mussels and water quality will benefit the health of both wildlife and people. Ohio Division of Wildlife Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

10 grasslands and the birds that live there, have become more rare. Research: continued Grassland Birds As our communities have grown, grasslands and the birds that live there, have become more rare. Grassland birds such as the Western meadowlark, grasshopper and Henslow s sparrows, dickcessels, and many others, are declining faster than any other North American bird group. Prescribing best management practices for their conservation relies on good data. State Wildlife Grants are enabling state wildlife agencies and conservation partners to gather critically-needed baseline information on grassland birds. North and South Dakota have both identified the loss of grassland and grassland birds as a conservation priority. South Dakota s State Wildlife Grant funded study will help determine how the size grassland areas should be, how they should be arranged within a landscape, and where grassland conservation measures might have the greatest positive impact in order to conserve grassland bird species. North Dakota s study will develop models predicting the landscape s capability of attracting grassland birds and will determine the best habitat management techniques. Bird surveys being conducted in many states, including Kansas, Delaware, Nebraska, and New Mexico, will help determine the abundance and habitat characteristics of grassland bird species. This information will contribute significantly to the limited knowledge of grassland birds, helping decision makers to cost-effectively conserve them for future generations. Western meadowlark photos coutesy of Ohio Division of Wildlife Indian grass Dickcissel Purple loosestrife, a non-native threat to U. S. wetlands State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

11 Management: Proactive Measures that Actively managing wildlife and natural areas ensures that they will persist for future generations. Management can take many forms and may address both species and habitat issues. From putting up fences to protect natural areas from feral animals to conducting prescribed burns, good management restores wildlife and their natural cycles. Protection from Invasive Species Animals and plants that do not naturally occur in an area but are unknowingly brought there by people can be extremely disruptive to the natural balance of an ecosystem. More than 100 million acres across the country are affected by invasive plants and animals, and damages and losses to the environment are In Oregon, invasive species are controlled and managed through brush removal, controlled burning, and monitoring. Illinois is also using State Wildlife Grants to reduce invasive species on public land and to teach landowners how to identify and eliminate invasive plants and animals on their own property. More than 100 million acres across the country are affected by invasive plants and animals estimated to be $13 million annually. Using State Wildlife Grants, many states are taking proactive measures to reduce and eradicate invasive species. Gating Caves When bats hibernate, they require undisturbed sleep. Bats disturbed by cave explorers and vandals use limited energy resources when awakened and because they have no food sources in the winter they cannot make up for this excess use of stored energy. Meanwhile, people who wander into caves and abandoned mines endanger themselves as these structures are often unstable and may collapse. In order to contribute to the overall conservation and recovery of bat populations and to Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources protect people, State Wildlife Grants have been used in multiple states to gate bat caves. In South Dakota, at least eleven bat species live Ohio Division of Wildlife in the Black Hills, and eight of them depend on underground roosting sites for survival. The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department is using State Wildlife Grants to identify and categorize natural caves and abandoned Ohio Division of Wildlife State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

12 Management: continued Cost effective conservation is the cornerstone of the State Wildlife Grants program. mines for their importance to bats. The result is the installation of gates that prevent people from getting into the unstable caves while allowing bats free passage to important roost sites. Many other states, including New Jersey and Pennsylvania, are using this technique to take care of these important insect eating mammals. The Makauwahi Sinkhole is the largest limestone cave system in the Hawaiian Islands. It is also home to the endangered Kauai Cave wolf spider and Kauai Cave amphipod. State Conservation: Investing in Wildlife and Natural Areas for Future Generations The ultimate goal of the State Wildlife Grants Program is to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered by conserving them and the places they live. Whether conserving the burrowing owl in California or the Chipola River watershed in Florida, conservation projects funded by State Wildlife Grants are investing in wildlife and natural areas for future generations. Conserving Sage Grouse Habitat The sage grouse has suffered a long-term decline in numbers and has been proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act. A variety of reasons have been offered for this decline, including drought, grazing, predators, sagebrush habitat losses, mineral development, urbanization, and loss of water sources. Now, State Wildlife Grants are helping to conserve sage grouse and their habitat before they become more rare and more costly to protect. Wildlife Grant funds helped support a project that served the dual purpose of protecting people from getting lost in the cave system and conserving the cave environment from vandals and disturbance by placing a locking gate at the southern cave entrance. Conservation and restoration of cave habitat is fundamental to the recovery of Kauai s endangered cave spider and cave amphipod and this project is a proactive and cost-effective solution which also protects people. On Crooked Creek Ranch in Idaho, seven conservation partners including the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, North American Grouse Partnership, The Nature Conservancy, Wolf Creek Foundation, Idaho Office of Species Conservation, the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service, have come together to achieve the common goal of sage grouse conservation. Working across 70,000 acres where multiple land uses and ownerships exist, these partners evaluated effective landscape level management in sage grouse habitat. This project demonstrated how to plan and implement effective sage grouse management and has become a regional example of sagebrush steppe conservation. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources 10 State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

13 CONSERVATION: continued Colorado is also working to protect the sage grouse through conservation easements and establishment of a local citizen group to assist in the monitoring of their habitat. These volunteers monitor bird populations and assist in habitat restoration, including maintenance of fences and outreach to ranchers. Utah has also used State Wildlife Grants to reach out to private landowners in order to support sustainable agriculture, improve wildlife habitat and maintain the healthy shrub steppe and riparian areas that sage grouse depend on. Preventing Atlantic Sturgeon from Becoming Endangered Sturgeons are among the oldest living species of fish and Atlantic sturgeon can reach sizes up to fourteen feet long, weigh more than 800 pounds, and live in excess of half century. Unfortunately, Atlantic sturgeon, one of eight species of sturgeon in North America, have undergone large population declines since the late 1800s due to overfishing, loss of habitat, limited access to spawning areas and water pollution. State Wildlife Grants are helping this species survive by funding conservation projects in multiple states. Efforts to conserve the Atlantic sturgeon are now underway in Pennsylvania. In the late 1800s, the Delaware River supported the largest population of Atlantic sturgeon in the world. However, this population collapsed under market pressure around the turn of the century. Recent evidence indicates that a remnant population of native Atlantic sturgeon remains in the Delaware River. State Wildlife Grants have helped fund an ultrasonic telemetry project to track these Atlantic sturgeon, revealing new information about the fish s habitat, seasonal activity patterns, and migration routes. Such information will be critical in helping the Atlantic sturgeon make a comeback in the Delaware River, the center of its historic worldwide range. Gulf sturgeon is a subspecies of Atlantic sturgeon and at present little is known of this fish s habitat needs in Louisiana s coastal waters. A recent Recovery and Management Plan developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries declared that finding critical habitat for Gulf sturgeon is a priority. State Wildlife Grants will address this need by identifying critical habitat, especially winter habitat, for Gulf sturgeon and providing researchers a better understanding of the fish s seasonal migration. USFWS Volunteer Karen Seiser holding a small Gulf sturgeon. Duane Raver, USFWS Kevin Lee McIver, USFWS Atlantic sturgeon State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 11

14 Investing in Wildlife State fish and wildlife agencies are charged by United States laws and policies with the responsibility of managing America s wildlife. State Wildlife Grants are infusing critical new funding into state wildlife diversity programs. Karner blue butterfly New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game In this capacity, they have an extensive record of successfully conserving wildlife that are hunted and fished. The key to their success has been reliable, dedicated funding from hunter and angler license fees and federal excise taxes from the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs. Likewise, the Endangered Species Act provides focused funding for restoring species that are threatened or endangered. Yet 80 percent of our nation s wildlife is neither hunter or fished, nor is endangered. There is a significant gap in wildlife funding and thousands of species are falling through the cracks. State wildlife diversity programs were established in the mid-1970s to manage this majority of wildlife, but are woefully under-funded. Surveys conducted in 1992 and 1998 by the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies reported that state wildlife diversity program funding was unpredictable and inadequate. This lack of funding made it impossible for fish and wildlife agencies to proactively conserve wildlife. State Wildlife Grants have begun to address this gap in funding by infusing critical new funding into state wildlife diversity programs, providing them with the ability to finally take proactive measures to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered. A 25 to 50 percent match is required from the state, stretching these limited federal funds to create more than $500 million in new funding for wildlife conservation. Figure A shows the amount that state wildlife diversity budgets have grown between 1992 and This increase has translated directly into the conservation and restoration of species that are most in need of help. State Wildlife Grants State Wildlife Diversity Program Budgets Trumpeter swan reintroduction release Ohio Division of Wildlife Figure A: Wildlife diversity program budgets in millions of dollars for 32 state wildlife agencies 12 State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

15 State Wildlife Grants Make a Difference An overall increase in wildlife diversity budgets in recent years demonstrates that the states, with enormous help from the federal government, are making progress towards filling the gap in wildlife funding. The State Wildlife Grants Program has been essential to making this progress a reality and for the first time, now all states are able to carry out their mission to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered. In 1992, only 18 states had over $1 million in their wildlife diversity budget. By 1998, that number had increased slightly to 21 states. In 2004, 35 states had over $1 million in their wildlife diversity program budgets. Even better, 31 states each had more than $2 million in their wildlife diversity budget, more than three times the number of states with over $2 million in Prior to the creation of State Wildlife Grants, funding for wildlife diversity programs came from a haphazard variety of sources and was voluntary, piecemeal, and opportunistic. Figure B shows the various sources of funds for wildlife diversity programs in 32 states. Not all states have this variety of funding only four states use revenue from their state lottery for the wildlife diversity program. State Wildlife Grants are unique in being a major funding source for all 56 states and territories and are the largest source of funding for wildlife diversity programs. Prior to State Wildlife Grants, in 1992, Montana had a wildlife diversity budget of $130,000. In 2005 alone, State Wildlife Grants alone provided more than $1 million to Montana s wildlife diversity program. Alabama increased its wildlife diversity budget from $462,000 in 1998 to more than $2.5 million in The great majority of this was derived from State Wildlife Grants. New Hampshire s wildlife diversity budget in 1992 was $90,000. In 2004 it was $832,000 of which $345,000 came from the State Wildlife Grants Program. North Dakota increased its wildlife diversity budget by almost 13 times between 1998 and The largest source of funding for the 2004 budget was State Wildlife Grants. In-kind Match 3% Pittman-Robertson 4% Other State Sources 5% Landowner Incentive Program 5% Other 5% State Wildlife Grants 25% Tax Checkoff 5% Other Federal Sources 5% General Funds 5% Hunting & Fishing Licenses 13% Vehicle License Plates 7% Endangered Species Act Section 6 8% State Lottery 10% Figure B: Sources of revenue used by 32 states to fund wildlife diversity programs in 2004 Ron Singer, USFWS State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 13

16 State Wildlife Grants have been matched by more than $200 million from the states and their conservation partners. Stretching the Federal Dollar In its first five years, State Wildlife Grants provided more than $340 million to states in order to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered. This federal money has been matched by more than $200 million from the states and their conservation partners. The match requirement leverages additional new money, significantly stretching the federal funds and catalyzing new funding from both public and private sources. States use a variety of sources to match State Wildlife Grant money. In 2005, the New Jersey legislature passed a new measure that will provide the New Jersey Endangered and Nongame Program with general funds to match State Wildlife Grants. In states like Missouri and Matching funds also come from conservation partners. Partners include other state agencies, universities, private foundations, businesses, conservation organizations, and local governments. In 32 states, partners contributed an average of $52 million, or 27 percent of the overall state match requirement. The vast majority of state fish and wildlife agencies, 46 in all, have worked with partners to fulfill the match requirement. Figure C shows the amount of match coming from states and the amount coming from conservation partners. Partner 30% Arkansas, a portion of the sales tax is dedicated to wildlife conservation efforts. As shown in Figure B, other popular sources of matching funds include wildlife license plates, voluntary State 30% Federal 30% tax check-offs, and revenue from hunting and fishing licenses. Figure C. Matching funds for State Wildlife Grants (Connecticut, Delaware, and Rhode Island excluded). The total amount shown is $451 million Local Government 9% Volunteers 16% Other 16% Business 16% Conservation Organizations 30% Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Foundations & Donations 13% Universities 16% Figure D. Partner Match of State Wildlife Grants Other State Agencies 21% 14 State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

17 Working Together for Wildlife States engage conservation partners in State Wildlife Grant projects in a variety of ways. To help fulfill the match requirement, 18 states created grant programs to team up with conservation partners. Pennsylvania administered a partner grant program at the start of their State Wildlife Grants efforts, and initially involved one-half of their federal funds. Thus far in Pennsylvania, partners have contributed 63 percent of $6.8 million in state match. Washington funded more than 100 different partners through their partner grant program, while Minnesota offered a small grants program for 14 projects that focused on species most in need of conservation. Grantees provided $70,000 in match funds for Minnesota. In Virginia, State Wildlife Grants provided the first opportunity to fund initiatives of interest to both the agency and its partners and they received many more proposals than they were able to fund. As a result, partners contributed 42 percent of Virginia s $1.7 million match. In North Carolina, cooperative grants funded partners with the resources, interest, and capability for conducting conservation projects. Figure D (page 14) shows the types of conservation partners that matched State Wildlife Grants. New and Stronger Conservation Partnerships in the States Working together is more effective than working alone. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Working together is more effective than working alone. State Wildlife Grants are acting as a catalyst for new and stronger conservation partnerships within every state and territory. Arctic Grayling Restoration in Montana The Arctic grayling population found in the upper Big Hole River in Montana is the last river-dwelling grayling population in the lower 48 states. Efforts to restore this beautiful fish to the Beaverhead, Ruby, Sun, and Missouri rivers are now underway with the help of State Wildlife Grants. Working with local landowners and conservation groups, the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Department has been rearing and stocking grayling into the deep cold pools of Montana s rivers. This will help conserve the grayling before they become more rare and costly to protect. Arctic grayling Michael S. Balshi, University of Alaska, Fairbanks State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 15

18 The Kansas City, Missouri, Wildlands Diversity Initiative State Wildlife Grants are providing a consistent funding source for the Kansas City Wildlands program. This highly successful partnership of more than two dozen entities has garnered the support of thousands of volunteers who work to restore native wildlife habitat in the metro Kansas City area. Activities include clearing brush, eliminating exotic plants, and restoring native plants to wildlife refuge areas. As our communities grow, green space for people and wildlife continues to shrink. Investing in wildlife and green areas has tremendous benefit for the entire community. The Southwestern Bald Eagle Management Committee More and more bald eagles are soaring in Arizona s skies, thanks to the cooperative efforts of the Arizona Game and Fish Department s Bald Eagle Management Program and the multi-agency Southwestern Bald Eagle Management Committee. State Wildlife Grants help fund the Arizona Game and Fish Department s Bald Eagle Management Program as well as its lead eagle biologist s participation on the committee. Both programs are working hand-in-hand to help bald eagles make a comeback. Since eagles live on lands managed by different agencies and Native American tribes, cooperation among various groups is crucial for the species to thrive. The Southwestern Bald Eagle Management Committee is a collaborative of 20 agencies and organizations, chaired by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, that facilitates management of bald eagles in Arizona and contributes more than $330,000 annually toward conservation of the species. State Wildlife Grants help eagle conservation efforts by funding monitoring and banding projects coordinated by the committee. These studies, some involving the use of radio transmitters to help track eagle movements, provide key information about the bald eagle population and distribution and help guide management actions. As a result, biologists and decision-makers are able to make the informed decisions necessary to effectively recover eagles. Missouri Department Of Conservation Dave Menke, USFWS Ohio Division of Wildlife 16 State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

19 InterState Collaboration Wildlife knows no boundaries and neither should conservation efforts. State Wildlife Grants are helping states collaborate with each other and with federal agencies to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered. Restoring the Robust Redhorse In North and South Carolina, State Wildlife Grants are helping to fund a collaborative effort to reintroduce the robust redhorse, a fish that was thought to be extinct for more than 120 years until its rediscovery in The Robust Redhorse Conservation Committee was formed in 1995 to improve the status of the species throughout its former range. The Committee is a voluntary partnership by several state and federal agencies, utility companies, and conservation partners. In 2005, biologists netted eight redhorse and put radio transmitters into five fish to track their movements throughout the year. This information will be useful in developing a management strategy to promote the conservation of the robust redhorse, with the hope of avoiding having it listed as endangered. Reintroducing Lake Sturgeon to the Tennessee River State Wildlife Grants allowed the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency to partner with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to reintroduce lake sturgeon to the upper Tennessee River. Wisconsin provided Tennessee with sturgeon eggs and with the help of the Tennessee aquarium and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, more than 12,000 lake sturgeon have been released. A radio-telemetry study is being conducted to determine where the released sturgeon are choosing to live. This information will help determine if reintroduction efforts have been successful and how to change future management practices. Borderlands Conservation The Texas-Mexico border region is one of the most ecologically rich areas in Texas, yet a burgeoning human population threatens the wildlife of this area. State Wildlife Grants are helping Texas work with Mexico to develop joint conservation projects that will address international wildlife issues affecting the Texas-Mexico border region. Developing, coordinating, and administering programs and activities to help conserve wildlife in this vital natural area is a high priority. Through its work with Mexico, Texas will be able to better conserve wildlife and vital natural areas for future generations. Lake sturgeon State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 17

20 Carrying On the Legacy: The Next Five Years State Wildlife Action Plans identify which wildlife and habitats are in trouble, why they are in trouble, and what actions are necessary to conserve them. The State Wildlife Grants Program has become the nation s core program for preventing wildlife from becoming endangered. It has provided a proactive alternative to costly endangered species listings and has resulted in new and stronger conservation partnerships. Through restoration, research, management, and conservation projects, State Wildlife Grants are successfully benefiting both the wildlife and people of America. The states are now ready to take wildlife conservation to the next level. For the first time in history, each of the 56 states and territories have completed an innovative action plan for wildlife conservation. The State Wildlife Action Plans, a requirement of the State Wildlife Grants Program, are a thorough state-by-state look at wildlife and the conservation actions needed to ensure their survival. This is the first time such a comprehensive planning effort has been undertaken, and it will result in strategic and cost-effective conservation decisions. The State Wildlife Action Plans were completed in the fall of 2005, and with the leadership of state wildlife agencies, provide a platform for coordinated conservation in every state across the nation. A rigorous, science-based process was employed to develop the State Wildlife Action Plans. They identify which wildlife and habitats are in trouble, why they are in trouble, and what actions are necessary to conserve them. While the state fish and wildlife agencies took the lead in this process, a broad array of partners were involved in the development of the plans, including scientists, sportsmen, conservationists, federal, agencies, local municipalities, members of the community and others. Working together, these groups have identified the actions we need to take to conserve wildlife and the places they live. Ohio Division of Wildlife Illinois Department of Natural Resources 18 State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

21 In the next five years, the State Wildlife Action Plans will become the driving force behind State Wildlife Grant projects and other conservation efforts. They will guide the conservation work of not only state fish and wildlife agencies, but other state and federal agencies and conservation organizations as well. As a plan for the entire state, these strategies have the potential to expand existing partnerships and create new ones. The State Wildlife Action Plans lay out important wildlife challenges and the actions that everyone should take in order to work together to solve them. State Wildlife Grants are a cornerstone of state wildlife diversity programs, but new and greater funding is critical in order to implement the State Wildlife Action Plans. Building on the successes of the State Wildlife Grants Program, the State Wildlife Action Plans will become the primary strategy for wildlife conservation across the nation. They lay out the specific conservation challenges in each state and define solutions that state fish and wildlife agencies can make a reality. Funding that reality is now of the highest priority. By investing in the State Wildlife Action Plans, we can prevent wildlife from becoming endangered and fulfill our responsibility to conserve wildlife and vital natural areas for future generations. Donny Browning, USFWS Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program When the Teaming with Wildlife Coalition asked Congress to help fund wildlife management, its request was three-pronged: funding for wildlife conservation, wildlife-related recreation, and conservation education. The Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program (WCRP), created by Congress in 2000, allocated money for projects in all three categories, but the next year WCRP was replaced with the State Wildlife Grants Program, which excluded education and recreation funding. State fish and wildlife agencies have achieved remarkable results with the limited funds provided by the State Wildlife Grants Program, but new and greater funding for the original three-pronged request of wildlife conservation and related recreation and education, is still necessary. The WCRP funding account remains open but empty and the Teaming with Wildlife Coalition continues to press for a long-term source of funds dedicated to WCRP. Such funding is essential for state fish and wildlife agencies to fulfill their responsibility to conserve wildlife and natural areas. State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 19

22 State Wildlife Grants: State-by-State Funding FY 01 WCRP FY02 SWG FY03 SWG FY04 SWG FY05 SWG FY06 SWG TOTAL FY01-FY06 Total $ 50,000,000 $ 85,000,000 $ 65,000,000 $ 70,000,000 $ 69,120,568 $ 68,500,000 $ 407,620,568 Tribal Grants 5,000,000 5,000,000 6,000,000 6,000,000 6,000,000 28,000,000 administrative (3%) 1,500,000 2,400,000 2,327,325 2,798,084 2,073,614 2,055,000 13,154,023 Total for States $ 48,500,000 $ 77,600,000 $ 57,672,675 $ 61,201,916 $ 61,046,854 $ 60,445,000 $ 366,466,445 Alabama $ 753,573 $ 1,205,716 $ 896,094 $ 950,854 $ 948,445 $ 939,094 $ 5,693,776 Alaska 2,425,000 3,880,000 2,883,633 3,060,095 3,052,342 3,022,250 18,323,320 American Samoa 121, , , , , , ,164 Arizona 1,148,630 1,837,803 1,365,867 1,449,489 1,445,817 1,431,563 8,679,169 Arkansas 566, , , , , ,084 4,280,799 California 2,425,000 3,880,000 2,883,633 3,060,095 3,052,342 3,022,250 18,323,320 Colorado 1,006,751 1,610,797 1,197,155 1,270,452 1,267,233 1,254,739 7,607,127 Connecticut 485, , , , , ,450 3,664,665 Delaware 485, , , , , ,450 3,664,665 District of Columbia 242, , , , , ,225 1,832,332 Florida 2,054,361 3,286,987 2,442,897 2,592,298 2,585,730 2,560,238 15,522,511 Georgia 1,200,808 1,921,295 1,427,913 1,515,288 1,511,450 1,496,548 9,073,302 Guam 121, , , , , , ,164 Hawaii 485, , , , , ,450 3,664,665 Idaho 571, , , , , ,166 4,317,605 Illinois 1,651,820 2,642,919 1,964,224 2,084,443 2,079,162 2,058,664 12,481,232 Indiana 852,921 1,364,676 1,014,232 1,076,313 1,073,586 1,063,001 6,444,729 Iowa 610, , , , , ,471 4,610,553 Kansas 717,720 1,148, , , , ,518 5,423,190 Kentucky 651,008 1,041, , , , ,363 4,919,080 Louisiana 735,422 1,176, , , , ,566 5,556,912 Maine 485, , , , , ,450 3,664,665 Maryland 634,704 1,015, , , , ,027 4,795,842 Massachusetts 738,898 1,182, , , , ,893 5,583,161 Michigan 1,390,843 2,225,353 1,653,890 1,754,509 1,750,065 1,732,811 10,507,471 Minnesota 973,316 1,557,304 1,157,397 1,228,258 1,225,146 1,213,068 7,354,489 Mississippi 557, , , , , ,357 4,209,700 Missouri 971,961 1,555,137 1,155,785 1,226,536 1,223,428 1,211,366 7,344,214 Montana 854,590 1,367,332 1,016,216 1,078,493 1,075,762 1,065,156 6,457,548 N. Mariana Islands 121, , , , , , ,164 Nebraska 585, , , , , ,396 4,422,113 Nevada 787,363 1,259, , , , ,324 5,949,443 New Hampshire 485, , , , , ,450 3,664,665 New Jersey 963,013 1,540,827 1,145,144 1,215,376 1,212,297 1,200,345 7,277,002 New Mexico 824,391 1,319, ,305 1,040,333 1,037,697 1,027,467 6,229,210 New York 2,333,978 3,734,378 2,775,397 2,945,190 2,937,728 2,908,766 17,635,437 North Carolina 1,153,607 1,845,774 1,371,785 1,455,766 1,452,078 1,437,763 8,716,773 North Dakota 485, , , , , ,450 3,664,665 Ohio 1,457,720 2,332,358 1,733,414 1,839,503 1,834,842 1,816,753 11,014,590 Oklahoma 737,718 1,180, , , , ,432 5,574,272 Oregon 874,020 1,398,427 1,039,321 1,102,960 1,100,165 1,089,319 6,604,212 Pennsylvania 1,579,961 2,527,945 1,878,775 1,993,755 1,988,704 1,969,098 11,938,237 Puerto Rico 242, , , , , ,225 1,832,332 Rhode Island 485, , , , , ,450 3,664,665 South Carolina 599, , , , , ,779 4,533,565 South Dakota 485, , , , , ,450 3,664,665 Tennessee 840,636 1,345, ,624 1,060,816 1,058,128 1,047,696 6,351,921 Texas 2,425,000 3,880,000 2,883,633 3,060,095 3,052,342 3,022,250 18,323,320 Utah 681,257 1,090, , , , ,071 5,147,662 Vermont 485, , , , , ,450 3,664,665 Virgin Islands 121, , , , , , ,164 Virginia 985,074 1,576,121 1,171,378 1,243,105 1,239,955 1,227,731 7,443,364 Washington 996,614 1,594,582 1,185,101 1,257,489 1,254,303 1,241,937 7,530,026 West Virginia 485, , , , , ,450 3,664,665 Wisconsin 876,862 1,402,979 1,042,700 1,106,520 1,103,717 1,092,836 6,625,613 Wyoming $ 485,000 $ 776,000 $ 576,727 $ 612,020 $ 610,468 $ 604,450 $ 3,664, State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

23 State by State Success Stories Carl Heilman II, Wild Visions, Inc. State Wildlife Grants (SWG) have resulted in great success stories around the country. On the following pages are updates from each state, discussing the benefits SWGs have provided in managing for wildlife diversity. Ohio Division of Wildlife Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge, Yukon River, Alaska USFWS Working together, we are tapping into the expertise of those who live and work on the land so that we can conserve our fish and wildlife before they become threatened or endangered. Through State Wildlife Grants, we are empowering states, territories, and their many partners to do what the federal government cannot do alone. The grant program is now our nation s primary conservation program for keeping species healthy and off the list of threatened and endangered species. Gale Norton, Secretary of the Interior Wyoming Fish and Game Department State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 21

24 Alabama State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Alabama s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Birdwatchers, photo courtesy of USFWS Stream Gauging, photo courtesy of USGS Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Alabama Aquatic Biodiversity Center A labama is home to the most diverse population of aquatic wildlife in North America. Stream restoration projects currently underway will help benefit Alabama s wildlife and people by cleaning the water and restoring a natural balance. As the habitat for aquatic animals improves, wildlife can be reintroduced to the streams. State Wildlife Grants are helping this effort by funding the Alabama Aquatic Biodiversity Center, a facility dedicated to the conservation and propagation of fish, mussel, snail, and crayfish species. This is a proactive way to conserve wildlife and vital natural areas for future generations. Red Hill Salamander, photo courtesy of USFWS Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Red Hill Salamander Conservation Conservation easements benefit both people and wildlife by preventing development that fragments habitat while at the same time allowing limited activities such as timber harvesting. In Alabama, conservation easements between the International Paper Company and The Nature Conservancy are being considered in order to protect the Red Hills salamander. In order to decide where to place conservation easements, it is important to know exactly where salamander habitat exists. The State Wildlife Grants Program is funding a survey of Red Hills salamander populations and habitat to inform this effort. Better knowledge will result in the most cost-effective and proactive decisions. Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Breeding Bird Atlas Alabama is now close to completing its first Breeding Bird Atlas, which documents the distribution of breeding birds in the state. Scheduled to culminate in 2006, this effort has been lead by the Alabama Ornithological Society with the active participation of hundreds of volunteers. The Alabama Breeding Bird Atlas will include detailed distribution maps for 165 species of birds breeding in Alabama and will be a significant planning resource to scientists, conservationists, land managers, and government agencies. State Wildlife Grant funds will provide logistical support during this final critical year. Congress has appropriated $5.7 million in State Wildlife Grants to Alabama since This has been matched with at least $3.2 million state and partner dollars. Alabama Game and Fish Division 64 North Union Street Montgomery, AL (334) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

25 Alaska State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Alaska s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Counting Sea Birds, photo courtesy of Alaska FWS Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Marbled Murrelet Conservation The marbled murrelet, a small seabird which nests in the coastal, old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest, is listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. As marbled murrelets have declined, commercial fishermen have been asked to change their fishing gear and cut back on the number of days they fish so the murrelets aren t caught in their nets. Loggers have also been prohibited from cutting trees in stands occupied by the birds. If declines continue, there will be increasing pressure to reduce threats from gill netting and logging in Alaska. This State Wildlife Grant funded project will help conserve the marbled murrelet now, before it becomes more rare and more costly to protect. Critical Habitat, photo courtesy of Alaska DFG Management: Proactive Measures that Planning in Alaska s Refuges A laska has 32 legislatively designated refuges, sanctuaries, and critical habitat areas, comprising over three million acres. These areas were established to protect unique and exceptional habitats supporting a broad diversity of species and for public use and enjoyment. Sixteen of the 32 designated areas are without a management plan to guide uses on these lands. This project provides funding to update or establish management plans for these refuges. This will help conserve these vital natural areas that are important to many of our family traditions. Measuring Chum, photo courtesy of USGS Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Fish in the Yukon/Kuskokwim River G ood information is the key to successful conservation. This State Wildlife Grant project will provide a more complete knowledge of the fish living in the Yukon/Kuskokwim River, including what parts of the river they live in and their different life stages. Protection of Alaska s aquatic resources is based on this type of study, which provides information for land use plans, land acquisition choices, and best use practices. The more we know, the more we will be able to conserve wildlife and the places they live in the most costeffective and timely manner. Congress has appropriated $18.3 million in State Wildlife Grants to Alaska since This has been matched with at least $3.7 million state and partner dollars. Alaska Department of Fish and Game P.O. Box Juneau, AK (907) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 23

26 Arizona State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Arizona s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Bald Eagle Research, photo courtesy of Arizona GFD Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Bald Eagle Recovery In Arizona, bald eagles are making a comeback! It s a success attributed to the conservation efforts of 18 federal, state, and local agencies working together through the Southwestern Bald Eagle Management Committee. State Wildlife Grants are helping these efforts by funding monitoring and banding projects coordinated by the committee. These studies will provide key information about the bald eagle population and distribution, helping biologists and decision makers take the actions necessary to effectively recover the eagle for future generations. Sitgreaves-Apache National Forest, photo courtesy of NOAA Management: Proactive Measures that Studying How Wildfire Effects Wildlife The Ryan wildfire occurred in Sonoita Valley, Arizona, in Spring It presented an opportunity to investigate the effects of fire on vegetation, birds, and rodents in southeastern Arizona. The 39,000-acre fire burned nearly 90 percent of the National Audubon Society s Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch, where more than 30 years of fieldwork provide pre-burn data, making this a rare opportunity to examine the effects of burning and grazing on vegetation and wildlife. The results will be important to land and wildlife managers as they work to integrate fire management and livestock planning into wildlife management practices. Collecting Fish, photo courtesy of USGS Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Fish Salvage Effort T he recent Cave Creek Complex wildfire in Arizona contaminated streams and waterways with ash and sediment. As fish need clean water to live, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and various non-governmental organizations, undertook a salvage effort after the fire to help endangered fish in the streams that were affected. The fish are now being held in quarantine at state fish hatcheries and at the Phoenix Zoo. If these endangered fish had been left in contaminated streams they would have become even more rare and more costly to protect. Congress has appropriated $8.7 million in State Wildlife Grants to Arizona since This has been matched with at least $3.8 million state and partner dollars. Arizona Game and Fish Department 2221 West Greenway Road Phoenix, AZ (602) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

27 Arkansas State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Arkansas s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Prescribed Burn, photo courtesy of USFWS Management: Proactive Measures that Understanding Prescribed Burns Fire is a natural part of many ecosystems. However, it poses risks to human communities and is often suppressed. Prescribed burning is a way to safely control fire to benefit wildlife while keeping our communities safe. State Wildlife Grant funding is being used to evaluate the impacts of prescribed fire on native bird species in order to determine the most natural fire regime. This will help managers effectively implement fire restoration, which has a range of important ecosystem and wildlife benefits. By proactively managing land with prescribed burning, we can help prevent wildlife from becoming more rare and costly to protect. Trumpeter Swans, photo courtesy of Ohio Division of Wildlife Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water and Wildlife Trumpeter Swans in Magness Lake M agness Lake, in north-central Arkansas, is a rare and unique wintering area for trumpeter swans. The swans returned to the lake several years ago after being absent from Arkansas for more than a century and their numbers have been gradually growing, attracting visitors and national attention. State Wildlife Grants funding is supporting efforts to improve forage and roosting habitat at Magness Lake and reduce threats, including people and lead poisoning. By investing in the swans now, State Wildlife Grants are helping conserve the trumpeter swans for future generations to enjoy. Swamp Rabbit, photo courtesy of USFWS Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Protecting the Swamp Rabbit It may not have the most glamorous name but the likeable swamp rabbit is disappearing fast. The once common rabbit has been declining across the South as its preferred habitat has been cleared and fragmented by development. The species is rare in Missouri, and has been identified as in need of conservation in several other states. Thankfully, the State Wildlife Grant Program is helping biologists learn more about the disappearance of the swamp rabbit in Arkansas. This research will improve our understanding of the rabbit s habitat needs and provide information on how many swamp rabbits are left, helping us make the best conservation decisions that will prevent this species from becoming endangered, in Arkansas and other states. Congress has appropriated $4.3 million in State Wildlife Grants to Arkansas since This has been matched with at least $830 thousand state and partner dollars. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission #2 Natural Resources Drive Little Rock, AR (501) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 25

28 California State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of California s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Western Burrowing Owl, photo courtesy of California DFG Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Western Burrowing Owl S tate Wildlife Grant funding is being used to develop a conservation strategy for the Western burrowing owl. The strategy includes research that will identify specific needs and actions as well as mitigation banks and farmerfriendly management approaches. The owl assessment and strategy documents will help assure long-term conservation of the owls through an adequate geographic distribution, while also helping to conserve other grassland-dependent species. Tricolored Blackbird, photo courtesy of USFWS Management: Proactive Measures that Tricolored Blackbird T he Department of Fish and Game is using State Wildlife Grant funds to conduct studies and support the public/private working group s efforts to identify conservation measures for the benefit of the tricolored blackbird. One such effort includes working with private landowners to compensate them for any crop degradation resulting from a delay in harvest to allow for undisturbed nesting habitat for fledglings until they are able to survive on their own. This is a proactive way to conserve these birds for future generations to enjoy, saving taxpayer money by preventing another endangered species listing. Greater Sage-grouse, photo courtesy of USFWS Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Greater Sage-grouse The greater sage-grouse is in decline. Using State Wildlife Grants, the California Department of Fish and Game is funding a three-year study of the greater sage-grouse, gathering baseline information on seasonal population ranges, migration patterns, and delineation of seasonal habitats for use in conservation planning. This information will lead to the development and assessment of conservation efforts and guide management and restoration activities. It will also help us deal with the emergence of West Nile Virus in isolated populations of genetically-unique grouse Congress has appropriated $18.3 million in State Wildlife Grants to California since This has been matched with at least $4 million state and partner dollars. California Department of Fish and Game 1416 Ninth Street Sacramento, CA (916) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

29 Colorado State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Colorado s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Outreach Project, photo courtesy of Colorado DOW Management: Proactive Measures that Gunnison Sage-grouse Citizen Stewardship Program S tate Wildlife Grant funding is helping Colorado Audubon establish a local citizen group to assist in the monitoring of Gunnison sage-grouse. Through this program, local volunteers will maintain fences to protect breeding areas on BLM lands, reach out to ranchers about the conservation of sage-grouse habitat, help in managing the impact of bird watchers at breeding sites, and assist with sagebrush habitat research by Western State College. This is a proactive and cost-effective program that gets local people directly involved in conservation. Fish Stocking Truck, photo courtesy of Colorado DOW Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Colorado Native Fish Hatchery T he Colorado Division of Wildlife opened the Native Aquatic Species Restoration Facility in 2000 with a mission to recover aquatic species with declining populations. This will conserve fish before they become rare and more costly to protect. State Wildlife Grant funds were used to help drill a new and more secure well for the facility. The project will improve water quantity and quality at the facility, and increase the Division of Wildlife s ability to hatch, raise, and stock at-risk species of native fish in streams across the state. Recovery programs in the Colorado River, the Rio Grande River and in eastern Colorado waterways will all benefit from this new and expanded facility. Gunnison Sage Grouse, photo courtesy of Colorado DOW Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Ochs Ranch Conservation Easement O chs Ranch contains the core population of the Gunnison sagegrouse, a species that is in decline. The State Wildlife Grants program partially funded a conservation easement to protect this critical habitat from the rapid growth the area is undergoing. Conservationists, wildlife officials, local ranchers and state land officials all worked extensively in support of the project as an important step in the conservation of Gunnison sagegrouse and they have developed a management plan for the property to protect and improve this habitat. As our communities grow, State Wildlife Grants can help fulfill our responsibility to conserve wildlife and the places they live for future generations. Congress has appropriated $7.6 million in State Wildlife Grants to Colorado since This has been matched with at least $4 million state and partner dollars. Colorado Division of Wildlife 6060 Broadway Denver, CO (970) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 27

30 Connecticut State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Connecticut s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: New England Cottontail, photo courtesy of Connecticut DEP Conservation: Protecting Wildlife for Future Generations The New England Cottontail T he New England cottontail is Connecticut s only native rabbit and was once found statewide. Limited research suggests that this rabbit has declined throughout the Northeastern United States and is currently being petitioned for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act. State Wildlife Grant funding has enabled Connecticut biologists to study the distribution and abundance of the New England cottontail. Through these efforts, the New England cottontail has been documented in towns where it was thought to have disappeared. The information collected by this study will help inform decision makers when deciding if it is necessary to list this species as endangered. Trapping Burbots, photo courtesy of Connecticut DEP Research: Gathering Information to Take Action The Burbot: A Glacial Codfish K nowledge is the key to making cost-effective decisions that will conserve wildlife and vital natural areas for future generations. State Wildlife Grants are helping us make the best decisions possible by funding research on the burbot, a unique fish found only in two areas of northwestern Connecticut. This mottled black and green fish is much smaller than its ocean-dwelling relatives, weighing only about five pounds. As the only freshwater member of the codfish family, little is known about the burbot s life history or habitat preferences. This research will help make informed management decisions for this state endangered species. Whip-poor-will, photo courtesy of Connecticut DEP Management: Working Together to Improve Public and Private Land Regional Efforts Target Seldom Seen Migrant M any existing methods used to survey birds don t work well on birds with secretive habits. One such bird is the whip-poor-will. Lack of data on this species combined with concerns about a potential population decline prompted the Northeast Partners in Flight Working Group to initiate a standardized, regional survey aimed at locating this nocturnal bird. As results from these regional surveys are reviewed and state-specific data analyzed, the Northeast states participating in this project will work together to develop the most effective sampling technique possible for whip-poor-wills across many habitat types. Accurate data will ultimately aid conservation efforts for this unique bird. Congress has appropriated $3.7 million in State Wildlife Grants to Connecticut since This has been matched with at least $812 thousand state and partner dollars. Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection P.O. Box 1550 Burlington, CT (860) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

31 Delaware State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Delaware s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Blackbird-Millington Conservation Corridor, photo courtesy of The Nature Conservancy Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Community-based Conservation T he Blackbird-Millington Corridor is a landscape of forests, farm fields, streams and tidal marshes that spans Delaware and Maryland. Over the years, the beauty and vitality of this region has been maintained by the good stewardship of local landowners, as well as through the creation of public lands. However, encroaching development threatens to fragment the remaining natural habitats and rural countryside. State Wildlife Grants funded development of the Blackbird- Millington Corridor Conservation Area Plan in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy. A coalition of community members, non-profits, and government agencies developed strategies to protect this special place by focusing on voluntary, incentive-based approaches to conservation. Shorebird Research, photo courtesy of Delaware DFW Research: Gathering Information to Take Action The Shorebird Horseshoe Crab Connection P erhaps Delaware s most dramatic natural spectacle occurs each spring on the shores of the Delaware Bay. Here, millions of spawning horseshoe crabs are followed by thousands of migrating sandpipers and plovers that feast on crab eggs, making the Bay one of the largest migratory shorebird stopovers in eastern North America. State Wildlife Grants are funding shorebird population surveys, radio-tracking of shorebird and horseshoe crab movements, and studies of shorebird food requirements and feeding strategies. The results are directing the conservation of habitats essential to both shorebirds and horseshoe crabs, while allowing continued recreational use and commercial harvest of the Bayshore and its resources. Wetland Restoration, photo courtesy of Delaware DFW Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Restoring Wetlands W etlands play crucial roles as wildlife habitats, buffers against storms and floods, and traps for sediments and nutrients that would otherwise enter water supplies. However, Delaware has lost more than 50% of its wetlands since colonial times, jeopardizing these valuable functions. State Wildlife Grants have been used to restore both freshwater and tidal wetlands throughout the state in partnership with Ducks Unlimited, Delaware Wildlands, the Center for the Inland Bays and others. Wetland restoration is a cost-effective way to help conserve wildlife species, protect property and provide an adequate supply of clean water. Congress has appropriated $3.7 million in State Wildlife Grants to Delaware since This has been matched with at least $939 thousand state and partner dollars. Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife 4876 Hay Point Landing Road Smyrna, DE (302) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 29

32 Florida State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Florida s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Butterfly Monitoring, photo courtesy of Florida FWCC Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Florida Butterfly Monitoring Network B utterflies are an important part of Florida s wildlife and their presence is often used to indicate that a natural environment is healthy. Using State Wildlife Grants, the Florida Butterfly Monitoring Network will start a citizen scientist monitoring program to survey butterfly populations. The information gained on butterfly abundance and distribution will be used to better develop species conservation strategies, identify important areas, and evaluate management or recovery actions. This will lead to proactive, cost-effective decisions concerning wildlife and vital natural areas. Canoeing the Chipola River, photo courtesy of Florida FWCC Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Chipola River Watershed Partnership Clean water in our rivers is important for our economy and our health. The Chipola River Watershed Partnership will protect and enhance the Chipola River by creating ways for citizens and natural resource managers to communicate. Through the Partnership, private landowners and local, state and federal agencies will develop a management plan that incorporates both socioeconomic and environmental interests. This effort will ensure that landowners rights are protected and that business and community interests are served while conserving the river for future generations. Gulf Stream Monitoring, photo courtesy of Florida FWCC Management: Proactive Measures that Gulf Coastal Stream Monitoring G ulf coastal streams contain the greatest diversity of fish species in Florida. With the help of State Wildlife Grants, the Gulf Coastal Stream Monitoring project is developing a comprehensive plan to monitor the health of fish species and these streams. This plan will be used to assess the effectiveness of management actions, determine ecosystem health and describe how species and habitats are linked. Such information helps biologists and decision makers act to protect clean water, making both wildlife and people healthier. Congress has appropriated $15.5 million in State Wildlife Grants to Florida since This has been matched with at least $5.4 million state and partner dollars. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 620 S. Meridian St. Tallahassee, FL, (850) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

33 Georgia State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Georgia s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Long-leaf Pine Forest, photo courtesy of USFWS Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Long-Leaf Pine Restoration Long-leaf pine forests are disappearing and so is the wildlife that lives there. Once covering 90 million acres from Virginia to east Texas, today only three percent of the original long-leaf pine ecosystem remains. State Wildlife Grant money is helping to conserve this vital natural landscape by restoring long-leaf pine forests on state lands. This will improve habitat for endangered species like the redcockaded woodpecker, Eastern indigo snake, and flatwoods salamander and prevent other species from becoming endangered in the first place. By acting to conserve this area now, we not only protect vital natural areas that bring peace and relaxation to our daily lives, but also help species before they become more rare and more costly to protect. Bog Turtle, photo courtesy of Georgia WRD Management: Proactive Measures that Putting Bog Turtles Back in Bogs A t least one third of the nation s threatened or endangered species live in wetlands and Southern Appalachian bogs, in particular. These bogs support a wealth of rare and unique life forms, many of which are found nowhere else on earth. With the aid of State Wildlife Grants, the Georgia Mountain Bog Enhancement Project is helping to conserve some of this wild- life by putting more bog turtles back into Georgia s bogs. The program will release 20 baby bog turtles a year for five to 10 years and will continually monitor their progress and health with radio transmitters. This proactive approach to conservation helps us fulfill our responsibility to pass on these wildlife and vital natural places to our children. Swallow-Tailed Kite, photo courtesy of Georgia WRD Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Swallow-Tailed Kite Management S wallow-tailed kites are large birds of prey with a striking black and white coloration. They live in the southern U.S. or at least they used to. Their numbers have been declining as forests with larger trees have disappeared. Biologists think this is because they don t have a place to build their nests anymore, but they need more conclusive information. State Wildlife Grants are helping fill this knowledge gap by funding research that will tell us more about the swallow-tailed kite s biology and preferred habitats. Good information leads to cost-effective decisions that will ultimately benefit both wildlife and people. Congress has appropriated $9 million in State Wildlife Grants to Georgia since This has been matched with at least $4 million state and partner dollars. Georgia Wildlife Resources Division 2070 US Highway 278 SE Social Circle, GA (770) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 31

34 Hawaii State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Hawaii s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Fencing, photo courtesy of Hawaii DOFAW Management: Proactive Measures that Keauhou Fencing and Feral Animal Control Like all ecosystems, the native forests of Hawaii are sensitive to non-native species which disrupt their natural balance. In order to conserve these rapidly disappearing habitats, State Wildlife Grants were used to build a three-mile fence to protect 15,000 acres of forest and former ranch lands from ingress by animals such as feral pigs, mouflon sheep, and goats. The project area contains diverse native forest and provides habitat for three endangered forest birds. The fencing is the first step in long-term management plans that will protect declining species and conserve native wildlife for future generations. Akipolaau, photo courtesy of USGS Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Akiapolaau Recovery The akiapolaau, found only in Hawaii, is among the world s most unusual bird species. Like many of Hawaii s forest birds, the akiapolaau is endangered, and biologists are having a hard time recovering the species because of a lack of information on basic habitat needs. State Wildlife Grant funds were used to study the akiapolaau, revealing that the bird has a much broader habitat range than initially thought. This surprise finding bodes well for akiapolaau recovery and points the way for habitat restoration efforts. Installing a Cave Gate, photo courtesy of NPS Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Gating the Makauwahi Sinkhole T he Makauwahi Sinkhole is the largest limestone cave system in the Hawaiian Islands. It is also home to the endangered Kauai cave wolf spider and Kauai cave amphipod. This project served the dual purpose of protecting people from getting lost in the cave system and conserving the cave environment from vandals and disturbance by placing a locking gate at the southern cave entrance. Protection and restoration of cave habitat is fundamental to the recovery of Kauai s endangered cave spider and cave amphipod and this is a proactive and cost-effective solution. Congress has appropriated $3.7 million in State Wildlife Grants to Hawaii since This has been matched with at least $1.5 million state and partner dollars. Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife 1151 Punchbowl Street Honolulu, HI (808) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

35 Idaho State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Idaho s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Pygmy Rabbit, photo courtesy of Idaho Fish and Game Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Pygmy Rabbit Population Status Pygmy rabbits live in sagebrush, a type of habitat which is quickly disappearing in Idaho. Along with their habitat, pygmy rabbit populations have declined and, at one point, it was recommended that the US Fish and Wildlife Service list the species as threatened or endangered. During three years, State Wildlife Grant funding allowed researchers in southern and eastern Idaho to study rabbit populations and provide data on their range and dispersal. Eventually, the data was used to support the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service s recent decision to not federally list pygmy rabbits, saving costly conservation actions and avoiding potential legal hang-ups. Today, the data collected during the study has played a key role in protecting sagebrush habitat and laid the groundwork for other Idaho conservation efforts. Sage Grouse Habitat, photo courtesy of USDA Management: Proactive Efforts that Crooked Creek Ranch Conservation Project S imilar to pygmy rabbits, the sage grouse also depends on sagebrush for its food and protection. To curb the decline of sage grouse populations, the Crooked Creek Ranch conservation project has maintained and enhanced 70,000 acres of prime greater sage grouse habitat. This project also provided an opportunity for various wildlife and conservation agencies to achieve common goals as partners. This model demonstrates how to plan, implement, and evaluate effective landscape/habitat management in sage grouse habitat where multiple land use challenges and ownership exists. Columbia Spotted Frog, photo courtesy of USFWS Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Sam Noble Springs Conservation Lease In southwestern Idaho, the Sam Noble Springs wetlands complex provides habitat for one of the largest Idaho populations of Columbia spotted frogs, a species being considered for listing under the Endangered Species Act. To help conserve this species and its habitat for future generations, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game purchased a 101-acre conservation lease on the complex. This purchase protects a key Columbia spotted frog population and also allows livestock grazing to continue on adjacent lands, benefiting both wildlife and people. Congress has appropriated $4.3 million in State Wildlife Grants to Idaho since This has been matched with at least $2.5 million state and partner dollars. Idaho Fish and Game P.O. Box 25 Boise, ID (208) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 33

36 Illinois State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Illinois s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: River Research, photo courtesy of USGS Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Cache River Watershed Restoration The Cache River watershed contains globally critical ecosystem including swamp, wetlands, and bottomland hardwood forest. A diverse group of public agencies and private conservation organizations have come together to try and conserve this area. State Wildlife Grants are helping coordinate recommendations on the restoration of the watershed s hydrology. By acting to protect the Cache River now, we can conserve the diverse array of wildlife that live there including bobcats, river otter, and migratory birds for future generations. Invasive Plant Management, photo courtesy of USFWS Management: Proactive Measures that Native Habitat Restoration P lants and animals that do not naturally occur in an area can be extremely disruptive to the natural balance of an ecosystem. State Wildlife Grants are helping to remove and reduce invasive species and restore habitat for the native wildlife of Illinois. In addition to managing public land, this funding is teaching private landowners how to identify and eliminate invasive species on their property. Protecting Illinois from invasive plants and animals will help preserve and enhance wildlife habitat and conserve vital natural areas important to many of our outdoor family traditions. Common Moorhen, photo courtesy of USFWS Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Calumet Open Space Reserve Land Acquisition Wetlands harbor plants and animals that help clean water and provide flood protection. Unfortunately, as our communities grow, wetlands are disappearing due to development. State Wildlife Grants are helping the Illinois Department of Natural Resources protect Illinois wetland through the purchase of the Calumet Marsh. Working with the city of Chicago, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources used State Wildlife Grant money to purchase 102 acres of this vital natural habitat. Calumet is home to the state-listed little blue heron, yellow-headed blackbird, pied-billed grebe, and common moorhen along with migrating waterfowl, shorebirds and neo-tropical migrants. By conserving this area now, both people and wildlife benefit. Congress has appropriated $12.5 million in State Wildlife Grants to Illinois since This has been matched with at least $4.5 million state and partner dollars. Illinois Department of Natural Resources One Natural Resources Way Springfield, IL (217) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

37 Indiana State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Indiana s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Osprey Survey, photo courtesy of Indiana DNR Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Osprey Reintroduction Once common through out Indiana, osprey have disappeared in recent years no osprey nests were seen from the late 1970s until State Wildlife Grants are now helping to reintroduce the osprey to Indiana. Starting in 2003, osprey have been released every year into areas with suitable habitat and nesting platforms built by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Some of these osprey have returned to the same areas during subsequent breeding seasons, demonstrating that this reintroduction program is an effective way to conserve the osprey before they become even more rare and costly to protect. Goose Pond, photo courtesy of Indiana DNR Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Waters and Wildlife Wetland Acquisition Wetlands are an extremely valuable ecosystem for both people and wildlife, providing natural water quality improvement, flood protection, erosion control, and the economic and social benefits of family recreation. State Wildlife Grants, along with several other federal sources of funding, and in partnership with The Nature Conservancy and Ducks Unlimited, are helping conserve a major wetland area in southwestern Indiana through the acquisition of Goose Pond. The site is being actively restored and is already becoming an area of regional importance for migrating shorebirds and waterfowl, helping us fulfill our responsibility to conserve wildlife and the places they live for future generations. Box Turtle, photo courtesy of Indiana DNR Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Eastern Box Turtles Reptile and amphibian health is an early indicator of disease and pollution that affect us all. State Wildlife Grants have permitted Indiana to hire a herpetologist, a biologist dedicated to the study of reptiles and amphibians. This new position will undertake a study of the Eastern box turtle. The conservation of turtles is an international priority because of concerns over the combined impacts of habitat destruction and fragmentation, over collection and other environmental hazards. Information from the study will help us proactively conserve wildlife and vital natural places, benefiting the health of wildlife and people. Congress has appropriated $6.4 million in State Wildlife Grants to Indiana since This has been matched with at least $3.5 million state and partner dollars. Indiana Department of Natural Resources 402 W. Washington St, W-273 Indianapolis, IN (317) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 35

38 Iowa State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Iowa s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Nest Searching Spring Run Grasslands, photo courtesy of Iowa DNR Management: Proactive Efforts that Grassland Birds in Iowa s Prairie T he prairie pothole landscape s undulating hills, fertile soil, many lakes, and good rainfall makes it valuable to both wildlife and people. Sedge wrens, bobolinks and other bird life abound in this environment, along with other rare or declining Iowa birds, such as the Northern harrier and savannah sparrow. State Wildlife Grant funds were used to conduct research that will help DNR wildlife managers tailor their grassland management and prairie restoration techniques to improve habitat for birds and other prairie wildlife. This project also sets the stage for future research projects that will conserve wildlife and natural places, enhancing our own quality of life. Local Ecotype Prairie Forb Production Plot, photo courtesy of Iowa DNR Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Native Prairie Seed Facility The majority of Iowa was once prairie; it is estimated that only a fraction (0.1 percent) remains. In order to diversify Iowa s degraded remnant prairies and to better re-create prairies on public lands, Iowa DNR is using State Wildlife Grants to construct a native prairie seed production, processing and storage facility at Brushy Creek State Recreation Area. This facility will be used to produce and process local prairie seeds that are especially hard-to-grow. Diversifying Iowa s degraded prairies, will improve habitat for declining grassland birds, such as grasshopper and Henslow s sparrows, dickcissels, greater prairie-chicken, and the shorteared owl. This is a cost-effective way to conserve wildlife and the places they live before they become more rare and more costly to protect Eagle Refuge Dedication and Donor, photo courtesy of Iowa DNR Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Wildlife and Habitat Gladys Black Bald Eagle Refuge B ald eagles were nearly decimated by the effects of pesticides such as DDT in the 1950s. Today the species is still endangered but with the help of State Wildlife Grants one of Iowa s oldest and largest night roost sites for wintering bald eagles is now protected. Situated along the Des Moines River, just below the Lake Red Rock Dam, up to 250 eagles may be found roosting here each night between early December and late March. This wooded tract in south central Iowa also provides valuable migrating and nesting habitat for many neotropical songbirds, and Indiana bats are known to frequent the vicinity. An existing public viewing platform across the river will offer visitors ample opportunity to view eagles and other wildlife. Congress has appropriated $4.6 million in State Wildlife Grants to Iowa since This has been matched with at least $3 million state and partner dollars. Iowa Department of Natural Resources th St. Boone IA (515) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

39 Kansas State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Kansas wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Assessing Grazing Effects, photo courtesy of Amy Zavala Management: Proactive Efforts that Grazing Impacts on Wildlife Cattle production is big business in Kansas. How cattle graze can have varying impacts on wildlife. State Wildlife Grant funds are helping to determine how paddock or intensive rotational grazing compares to traditional patterns in terms of impacts on birds such as the lesser prairie chicken, a candidate for endangered species listing. Nearly completed, the project will benefit both people and wildlife by giving good guidance for how to optimize beef production while protecting sensitive species such as the lesser prairie chicken. This is a cost-effective way to conserve wildlife before it becomes more rare and more costly to protect. Frog Sampling, photo courtesy of Susan Collins, Center for North American Herpetology Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Reptile and Amphibian Status M aking informed decisions is the best way to cost-effectively conserve wildlife. Over the past two years, field work funded by the State Wildlife Grants program has filled informa- tion gaps on sensitive reptiles and amphibians. This work has provided substantial information on these species and will supply a much needed basis for considering their management needs, potentially lessening the endangered or threatened status of some. Reptile and amphibian health is an indicator of disease and pollution that affect us all. This is an instance of State Wildlife Grants allowing us to identify and prevent problems before they threaten wildlife and affect humans. Dickscissel, photo courtesy of Mike Blair, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Grassland Birds are in Decline Grassland birds are declining faster than any other bird type in North America. Prescribing best manage- ment practices towards their conservation relies on good data. This State Wildlife Grant funded project serves to provide the critically-needed baseline information on bird populations in the short-grass prairie region of Kansas. As our communities grow, State Wildlife Grant projects like this can help us fulfill our responsibility to conserve wildlife and the places they live for future generations by funding the research needed to make good pro-active and cost-effective decisions. Congress has appropriated $5.4 million in State Wildlife Grants to Kansas since This has been matched with at least $1.5 million state and partner dollars. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks 512 SE 25th Avenue Pratt, KS, (620) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 37

40 Kentucky State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Kentucky s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Database, photo courtesy of USGS Black Bear, photo courtesy of Kentucky DFWR Research: Gathering Information to Take Action American Black Bear Monitoring A fter years of low numbers, the American black bear is making a comeback in many parts of eastern Kentucky. As black bear numbers have increased, so has public interest. The objective of this State Wildlife Grant funded project is to determine re-colonization patterns and population dynamics of the black bear. This information will provide baseline data that will help develop management programs to minimize the potential for conflict between bears and humans. This is a proactive way to continue to conserve the black bear for future generations and to best manage their interaction with people. Canoeing, photo courtesy of Kentucky DFWR Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife The Ballard Management Area T he Ballard Management Area protects important habitat for a variety wildlife including river otters, bald eagles, and golden eagles. It also provides people with a place to relax and recreate. State Wildlife Grant funds were combined with Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation funds to acquire four key tracts of land, totaling 962 acres, to be incorporated into the Ballard Wildlife Management Area. Good management of this area will lead to conservation of wildlife and vital natural areas for future generations and provide a place to carry on important outdoor family traditions. Management: Proactive Measures that Creating Good Information Systems Good information leads to proactive and cost effective decisions that benefit both wildlife and people. State Wildlife Grant funds are helping Kentucky obtain and organize this information by combining two existing databases on wildlife. By joining the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Information System with the Kentucky Heritage Database, biologists and decision makers will have a better base of knowledge for planning and implementing wildlife management practices. This project has created a partnership between the two agencies that maintain these databases and will hopefully lead to more collaboration in the future. Congress has appropriated $5 million in State Wildlife Grants to Kentucky since This has been matched with at least $2 million state and partner dollars. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources #1 Game Farm Road Frankfort, KY (502) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

41 Louisiana State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Louisiana s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Swallow-Tailed Kite, photo courtesy of USFWS Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Swallow-Tailed Kite Surveying The swallow-tailed kite experienced a dramatic decline in numbers and reduction in range around the turn of the 20th century. Populations now survive in only six southern states, one of which is Louisiana. State Wildlife Grants are providing funds for aerial surveying and monitoring of swallowtailed kite activity, including helicopter surveys for nests. The information obtained from this study will ultimately be used to answer questions about how to best maintain and manage the swallowed-tail kite population. By acting now, we can prevent this bird from becoming more rare and costly to protect. Gulf Sturgeon Research, photo courtesy of USFWS Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Identifying Gulf Sturgeon Habitat A t present, little is known about the Gulf sturgeon s habitat needs in Louisiana s coastal waters. A recent Recovery and Management Plan developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries declared that finding good habitat for Gulf sturgeon is a priority. This project will address this need by identifying critical habitat especially winter habitat for Gulf sturgeon and provide researchers with a better understanding of the seasonal migration of the fish. Proactive management will help conserve the Gulf sturgeon for future generations. Red-cockaded woodpecker, photo courtesy of USFWS Management: Proactive Measures that Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Safe Harbor Agreement The red-cockaded woodpecker needs longleaf pine forests to survive, but only three percent of this forest type remains in the United States. Publicly owned long-leaf pine forests provide a small fragment of habitat for the redcockaded woodpecker. Now, with the help of State Wildlife Grants, private landowners are also helping to conserve this bird through the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Safe Harbor Agreement. Raising awareness and building public support for endangered species management by helping landowners intentionally manage for woodpecker habitat benefits landowners by reducing the uncertainty of having an endangered species on their property. This is a proactive and cost-effective program that engages local people. Congress has appropriated $5.6 million in State Wildlife Grants to Louisiana since This has been matched with at least $1.9 million state and partner dollars. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries P.O. Box Baton Rouge, LA (225) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 39

42 Maine State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Maine s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Bald Eagle, photo courtesy of USFWS Beginning with Habitat, photo courtesy of Maine DIFW Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Beginning with Habitat B eginning with Habitat is a cooperative effort of agencies and organizations working together to secure Maine s outdoor legacy. The goal of the program is to maintain sufficient habitat to support all native plant and animal species currently breeding in Maine by providing each town with a collection of maps and accompanying information depicting and describing various habitats of statewide and national significance in the town. Beginning with Habitat partners can then work with communities to design a landscape that accommodates the growth they need with the highest resource conservation. As our communities grow, this program will help us fulfill our responsibility to conserve wildlife and the places they live for future generations. Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Bald Eagle Recovery Bald eagles continue their dramatic comeback in Maine. Presently, the state is home to more than 300 nesting pairs, a remarkable 10-fold increase from the 30 nesting pairs reported in the late-1970s. Despite this accomplish- ment, our ultimate challenge is to provide suitable habitat for eagles in the future. Nesting eagles need mature trees and wooded buffers in shore lands, a niche habitat that will always be at risk from land development and recreational pressures. The purpose of this State Wildlife Grant project is to devise statewide strategies and identify optimal sites for long-term conservation of bald eagle nesting habitat. Such sites are the fundamental safeguard for a lasting recovery of the species in Maine. This safety net concept is the last pending objective for state reclassification of bald eagles from the current status of threatened. Lynx Cub, photo courtesy of Maine DIFW Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Understanding the Canada Lynx T he Canada lynx has long been a rare carnivore in northern and western Maine. Until recently, its status was largely unknown and was based on anecdotal reports or a track in the snow. In 1999, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began an intensive study of Canada lynx in northwestern Maine. State Wildlife Grants allow research efforts to continue today. These studies provided a significant contribution to the understanding of lynx in Maine and will help to identify and prevent problems before they threaten this majestic species. Congress has appropriated $3.7 million in State Wildlife Grants to Maine since This has been matched with at least $580 thousand state and partner dollars. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife 284 State St. 41 State House Station Augusta, ME (207) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

43 Maryland State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Maryland s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Riparian Buffer, photo courtesy of Maryland DNR Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Buffers for Birds The last 50 years have seen dramatic land-use changes in Maryland. As intensive agriculture and development have grown, grassland and young forest land has shrunk. This has resulted in a decline in many of the bird species that live in grassland and shrub-like habitats. One way we can help prevent these birds from declining to the point of endangerment is through the creation of small buffer strips of land with grass and forest around the edges of farm fields, rivers, and housing developments. State Wildlife Grants are helping create the best buffers possible by measuring how many birds are using what types of buffer lands. Buffers benefit wildlife, but they also benefit people by conserving natural places that enhance our own quality of life. Stream Survey, photo courtesy of Maryland DNR Management: Proactive Measures that Rare Freshwater Fish Conservation Needs G ood information leads to good management and the most cost- effective means to conserve wildlife for future generations. Since 1993, the Maryland Biological Stream Survey has been collecting a variety of data on over 2,000 streams across Maryland. Included in this data is information on fish previously thought to be extinct in Maryland, as well as a number of other rare freshwater species. State Wildlife Grants are providing the resources to use this information to determine the management needs of rare freshwater fish in Maryland s streams. Good management now will conserve the fish before they become more rare and more costly to protect. Barking Tree Frog, photo courtesy of Maryland DNR Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Habitat Restoration for Amphibians C arolina bays (also known as Del-marva bays) are rare habitats found on Maryland s eastern shore. These shallow, seasonally flooded depressions offer the perfect habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, including three species of rare amphibians the tiger salamander, barking tree frog, and carpenter frog. State Wildlife Grants have helped remove encroaching vegetation such as red maples and other hardwoods from several Carolina bays, thus allowing the herbaceous wetland plants which provide suitable habitat for the breeding amphibians to prosper. This is a proactive way to conserve the rare and unique Carolina bays and the wildlife that live there for future generations to enjoy. Congress has appropriated $4.8 million in State Wildlife Grants to Maryland since This has been matched with at least $1.4 million state and partner dollars. Maryland Department of Natural Resources Tawes Building E Taylor Ave. Annapolis, MD (410) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 41

44 Massachusetts State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Massachusetts wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Brook Trout, photo courtesy of Massachusetts DFW Birdwatchers, photo courtesy of Massachusetts DFW Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Burrage Pond Wildlife Area C ommunities are growing in Massachusetts, especially in the southeastern part of the state. To help fulfill our responsibility to conserve wildlife and the places they live for future generations, State Wildlife Grant funds were used to create the Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area. This area provides wildlife with a place to live and recreational users with a great opportunity to reconnect to the natural places that bring peace and relaxation to our busy daily lives and view the over 200 species of birds which have been seen at the site. Restoration projects for the area will benefit both the health of wildlife and people by maintaining a clean wetland area. Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Clean Water, Healthy Fish Fish need clean flowing water to live in. Some of the streams and rivers where fish live have been impacted by excessive water withdrawals, backwaters from dams and other habitat alterations. State Wildlife Grants are helping develop a new way to determine the optimum number of fish in healthy rivers called Target Fish Community. This approach will help set measurable goals and allow biologists to prioritize their work. Because the health of fish is often an early indicator of pollution, this is a cost-effective way of protecting clean water, allowing us to identify and prevent problems before they threaten wildlife and affect humans. BioMap Publication, photo courtesy of Massachusetts DFW Management: Proactive Measures that BioMap: Guiding Land Conservation for Biodiversity State Wildlife Grants are helping to develop a powerful new tool that will help conserve wildlife and vital natural areas in Massachusetts for generations to come. Called the BioMap, this project identifies those areas of the state most in need of conservation and lays out a strategic plan for action which can be shared with other state agencies, regional planners, and conservation organizations. In addition to protecting the biodiversity of Massachusetts, watersheds and water supplies will be protected, recreational and aesthetic opportunities will be enhanced, and our obligation to future generations to conserve the breadth and depth of wildlife and natural places will be fulfilled. Congress has appropriated $5.6 million in State Wildlife Grants to Massachusetts since This has been matched with at least $2.2 million state and partner dollars. Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife 1 Rabbit Hill Road Westboro, MA (508) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

45 Michigan State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Michigan s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Osprey, photo courtesy of Michigan DNR Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Osprey Reintroduction in Southern Michigan O nce found throughout Michigan, osprey are one of several top avian predators that declined as a result of DDT and other pesticide use after World War II. While the population has begun to rebound, osprey are still found mostly in the northern part of the state. In order to accelerate statewide restoration, an osprey reintroduction project in southern Michigan was initiated in 1998 and expanded in 2000, when State Wildlife Grants made funding available to build two new nesting sites, which are currently receiving birds. Since its inception, the project has spawned excellent partnerships and citizen volunteers who work with osprey releases have started their own organization, Osprey Watch of Southeast Michigan, and continue to provide hundreds of hours of volunteer effort to osprey restoration. Finches, photo courtesy of Michigan DNR Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Which Birds Live in Michigan? Knowledge is the key to successful, cost-effective wildlife management. The State Wildlife Grants program is helping Michigan succeed in conserving wildlife and vital natural areas for future generations by funding research on which and how many birds live where in the state. The project, undertaken with multiple partners, will be complete in 2008, but the data is already proving to be enormously helpful in determining which species are most in need of help and which species are faring better than expected. These State Wildlife Grant funds are providing the information to make the most cost-effective and smart decisions to conserve Michigan s wildlife and vital natural areas, which in turn enhance our own quality of life. Algonac State Park, photo courtesy of Michigan DNR Management: Proactive Measures that Algonac State Park Algonac State Park in southeastern Michigan contains two of the rarest natural ecosystems in the state. Historically, wildfires were an integral part this area, which is home to multiple endangered and threatened species. State Wildlife Grants are helping to conserve Algonac State Park by funding prescribed burns, which restore the natural balance of the prairie while protecting human communities from wildfires. State Wildlife Grants also allow park rangers to control invasive plant species. This is a cost effective way to conserve Michigan s native wildlife and the natural places that are important to many of our family traditions. Congress has appropriated $10.5 million in State Wildlife Grants to Michigan since This has been matched with at least $4.4 million state and partner dollars. Michigan Department of Natural Resources Box Lansing, MI (517) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 43

46 Minnesota State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Minnesota s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Heron, photo courtesy of EPA Management: Proactive Measures that Peltier Lake Heron Colony R ecently, a decrease in the size of the heron colony at Peltier Lake caused concern among local citizens and professional resource managers. The cause of the declining population was not initially clear, but State Wildlife Grants provided money for video monitors at nests, which recorded young herons being eaten by raccoons. Prompted by this finding, barriers now prevent raccoons from climbing trees with nests, helping to protect the herons. The behavior of raccoons is being studied so that this vibrant natural area, and the wildlife that live there, can be conserved for future generations. Freshwater Mussels, photo courtesy of the Mussel Coordination Team Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Clean Water and Mussel Health T he health of freshwater mussels is an early indicator of disease and pollution that affect us all. Within the last 100 years, mussel communi- ties have become rarer due to dam construction, water pollution, overharvesting and other factors. In order to conserve mussels and benefit the health of humans, State Wildlife Grants are funding a long-term study of mussels. Information from the study will help biologists and decision-makers cost-effectively conserve wildlife and protect clean water. Transparency Readings, photo courtesy of Minnesota DNR Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Lake Christina Reclamation L ake Christina, a shallow lake in west-central Minnesota, is nationally recognized as a critical habitat and breeding area for many birds, and migratory birds in particular. Unfortunately, the water quality of the lake has worsened in recent years, making it difficult for wildlife to live there. In 2003, a chemical was put into the lake to help improve water quality and habitat conditions. State Wildlife Grants have provided money to see how the lake, as well as the fish and other wildlife that live there, responded to the treatment. This data will help guide future lake management, protect clean water, and benefit the health of wildlife and people. Congress has appropriated $7.4 million in State Wildlife Grants to Minnesota since This has been matched with at least $5 million state and partner dollars. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN (651) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

47 Mississippi State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Mississippi s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Alligator Gar, photo courtesy of USFWS Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Mississippi s Alligator Gar The alligator gar, a large fish which grows up to 13 feet and weighs hundreds of pounds, was once abundant in southern Mississippi. Over the last century, their population has dwindled, making the alligator gar extremely rare in the Mississippi Delta and possibly along the Gulf Coast. State Wildlife Grants are now helping to provide baseline status information of coastal alligator gar. Such information is essential to make management decisions. By gathering this information now, proactive conservation measures can be put in place to conserve the alligator gar for future generations. Bat Tracking, photo courtesy of USFWS Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Establishing Bat Habitat Bats help people by eating insects and pollinating plants. Out of the 14 bat species found in Mississippi, two are endangered and seven more are species of concern. Loss of habitat has not only affected the places where bats find food, but it has also significantly limited the shelters where they rest. The objective of this State Wildlife Grant project is to study habitat for bats and evaluate the feasibility of enhancing bat populations by providing artificial shelters for them to rest. This will prevent the listing of even more bat species as endangered, saving taxpayer money by avoiding paperwork and costly litigation. Tilapia, photo courtesy of USGS Management: Proactive Measures that Preventing Damage by Invasive Species P lants and animals that do not naturally occur in an area can be extremely disruptive to the natural balance of an ecosystem. This problem is particularly significant in aquatic ecosystems. Tilapia is a fish that has been introduced to Mississippi s waters and has been identified as a potentially serious threat. This project will look at the seasonal movement of tilapia and how they were introduced to Mississippi. Such information is vital to develop a proactive plan for controlling the spread of this invasive fish. Congress has appropriated $4.2 million in State Wildlife Grants to Mississippi since This has been matched with at least $2.9 million state and partner dollars. Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks 1505 Eastover Drive Jackson, MS (601) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 45

48 Missouri State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Missouri s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Mark Twain School Students, photo courtesy of Ozark Underground Laboratory Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Protecting Cave Life through Clean Water P olluted groundwater is a threat to both humans and wildlife. Recent studies revealed that 88 percent of the Mark Twain School s sewage lagoon has been leaking into the groundwater that feeds Tumbling Creek Cave. This cave is the most biologically diverse cave west of the Mississippi River. With the help of State Wildlife Grants, a diverse group of partners has come together to improve the on-site sewage treatment system for the school, protecting clean water and benefiting the health of wildlife and people. The next step will be to create an outdoor classroom/community space that will help local residents better understand the connections between surface and subsurface ecosystems in this important cave of the Ozark Highlands. Prairie-Chicken, photo courtesy of Missouri Department of Conservation Management: Proactive Measures that Revitalizing Grasslands with Fire and Grazing T he greater prairie-chicken and Northern bobwhite quail are grassland birds that are declining because of the loss of prairie habitat and poor management of remaining grasslands. To help grassland wildlife, the Missouri Department of Conservation is using State Wildlife Grants to remove trees and add fencing and water sources so that cattle grazing is less intensive. In combination with prescribed burns, this will restore the natural balance of the ecosystem while improving grazing systems will benefit cattle producers and wildlife. This is a cost effective way to increase plant diversity and improve habitat. Wildlands Volunteers, photo courtesy of Missouri Department of Conservation Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Places Kansas City Wildlands Diversity Initiative Working together, we can conserve wildlife and the places they live for future generations. State Wildlife Grants are helping accomplish this by providing a consistent funding source for the Kansas City Wildlands program. This highly successful partnership of more than two dozen entities has garnered the support of thousands of volunteers who work to restore native wildlife habitat in the metro Kansas City area. Activities include clearing brush, eliminating exotic plants, and restoring native plants to wildlife refuge areas. As our communities grow, there tends to be less green space for people and for wildlife. Investing in native plants, natural communities, and green areas has tremendous benefit for the entire community. Congress has appropriated $7.3 million in State Wildlife Grants to Missouri since This has been matched with at least $5 million state and partner dollars. Missouri Department of Conservation P. O. Box 180 Jefferson City, MO (573) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

49 Montana State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Montana s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Bear-Proof Dumpster, photo courtesy of Montana FWP Management: Proactive Measures that Bear-proofing Effort on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation G rizzly bears are scavengers and when they eat food from dumpsters, it can lead to conflict with humans and result in the bear either being killed or removed from its home. This State Wildlife Grant funded project, done in coordination with the nearby Blackfeet Indian Reservation, provided nine bear-proof dumpsters to keep grizzly bears out of refuse areas. By keeping grizzly bears in their natural habitat, feeding on natural foods, both grizzlies and people benefit by eliminating potential conflict situations. Little Elk Creek, photo courtesy of Montana FWP Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Finding Fish in Montana s Fishless Streams Prior to 2001, thousands of miles of prairie streams in Montana had never been surveyed for fish. These streams were thought to be fishless, but recent State Wildlife Grant funded surveys have shown otherwise. Survey crews have found 48 different fish species (30 of them native) living in the fishless prairie streams, as well as five different amphibian species and 10 different reptile species. Few suspected the streams would be so biologically rich. Now, we know that when compared to western Montana s cold-water streams, which have just a few different fish species, the state s prairie streams are hugely diverse. With more knowledge we can make better, more cost-effective decisions to conserve wildlife and the places they live for future generations. Grayling Restoration at Sun River, photo courtesy of Montana FWP Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Arctic Grayling Restoration The Arctic grayling in the upper Big Hole River in Montana are the last river-dwelling grayling population in the lower 48 states. Efforts to restore this beautiful fish to the Beaverhead, Ruby, Sun, and Missouri rivers are now underway with the help of State Wildlife Grants. Working with local landowners and conservation groups, the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Department has been rearing and stocking grayling into the deep cold pools of Montana s rivers. This will help conserve the grayling before they become more rare and costly to protect. Congress has appropriated $6.5 million in State Wildlife Grants to Montana since This has been matched with at least $1.4 million state and partner dollars. Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks 1420 East Sixth Street Helena, MT (406) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 47

50 Nebraska State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Nebraska s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Mountain Plover, photo courtesy of NGPC Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Short Grass Bird Management T he short grass bird conservation region of western Nebraska is home to more than two dozen grassland birds that are found only in this region. The Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory in partnership with local ranchers, farmers, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has been conducting surveys of these birds, including mountain plovers, ferruginous hawks, and burrowing owls. State Wildlife Grants are funding surveys to determine the abundance and habitat characteristics of these species. Information obtained from this project will contribute significantly to our limited knowledge of grassland birds, helping make the best decisions to cost-effectively conserve wildlife for future generations. Platte River with Sandhill Cranes, photo courtesy of NGPC Management: Proactive Measures that Wetland Restoration Evaluation T he central Platte River provides critical habitat for many birds. However, more than 90 percent of the landscape s wet meadows have been lost or degraded. During the last decade federal, state, and private conservation organizations have embarked on an ambitious attempt to restore and re-create river habitat. State Wildlife Grant funds were used to evaluate these wetland restorations for the first time. Information obtained through this project will result in critical management recommendations to conservation organizations that will result in improved future wetland restoration projects. Oak Savannah, photo courtesy of USFWS Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Oak Savannah Habitat Establishment T wo hundred years ago the Lewis & Clark expedition encountered expansive oak savannahs along their journey. Today oak savannahs are one of the rarest plant communities found in North America. State Wildlife Grant funds are now being used to restore 180 acres of marginal cropland to high diversity oak savannah along the shores of the Missouri River. Once restored, the savannah will be available as a field laboratory and natural area for visitors using the nearby Missouri National Recreational River Resource and Education Center currently under construction at Ponca State Park. The project will benefit both wildlife and people by conserving this vital natural landscape for future generations. Congress has appropriated $4.4 million in State Wildlife Grants to Nebraska since This has been matched with at least $1.4 million state and partner dollars. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 2200 N. 33rd St P.O. Box Lincoln NE (402) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

51 Nevada State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Nevada s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Long-billed Curlew, photo courtesy of Alex Hartman Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Sustaining Agriculture s Benefits to the Long-billed Curlew T he long-billed curlew, the largest of all North American shorebirds, has been declining and is considered a highly imperiled species. State Wildlife Grants have been used to study how agriculture has benefited the long-billed curlew by providing good habitat. This research led to the recognition that Nevada s ranchers have played an important stewardship role in maintaining the long-billed curlew. Continued investment of State Wildlife Grant funds will help build a landowner incentive program to ensure the long-term health of the species and cement Nevada s significant stewardship role in management efforts. Amargosa Toad, photo courtesy of Dr. C.R. Tracy Management: Proactive Measures that Amargosa Toad Partnership Found only in the upper Amargosa River in Nevada, the Amargosa toad was petitioned for endangered species listing in the 1990s, in part from a lack of adequate information on its status and abundance. With the assistance of State Wildlife Grant funds, the Nevada Department of Wildlife has been able to gain a better understanding of where the Amargosa toad lives and how many are left. This information will aid efforts to work with local communities to develop a habitat protection plan that will accommodate local development needs. These cooperative actions are a model for how partnerships can benefit both wildlife and community development. Bird Watcher, photo courtesy of Elisabeth Ammon Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Nevada Partners in Flight Biologists and decision-makers need up-to-date information in order to make the most cost-effective wildlife management decisions. Nevada Partners in Flight, a consortium of more than 10 agencies and organizations, is working to provide that information through a long-term statewide bird monitoring program. Sharing ownership of the data from this study is one of the most important steps toward sharing the conservation vision for the Nevada landscape. The program is poised to grow into a comprehensive bird monitoring program that will help conserve Nevada s birds for future generations. Congress has appropriated $6 million in State Wildlife Grants to Nevada since This has been matched with at least $1.5 million state and partner dollars. Nevada Department of Wildlife 1100 Valley Road Reno, NV (775) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 49

52 New Hampshire State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of New Hampshire s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Karner Blue Butterfly, photo courtesy of Ohio Division of Wildlife Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife The Karner Blue Butterfly The Karner blue, a sapphire-colored butterfly with a wingspan barely an inch across, disappeared from New Hampshire less than a decade ago. Many people and organizations have been working to bring back the Karner blue New Hampshire s official state butterfly and to restore pine barrens habitat, the only place where the butterfly can survive. The captive rearing program, partially funded with State Wildlife Grants, has resulted in a small but growing wild butterfly population; last year, eggs, larvae and adults were all observed in the release area. This project will help conserve New Hampshire s state butterfly for future generations to enjoy. Pine Marten, photo courtesy of USFWS Management: Proactive Measures that Pine Marten Habitat Although the pine marten has been protected from trapping since the 1930s, the northern New Hampshire spruce and fir forests that it depends on have undergone dramatic changes over the last 100 years, beginning with large-scale cutting and the fires of the 1920s. Even though suitable habitat has been restored in northern New Hampshire, and pine martens have been protected from trapping for the last 10 years, they were added to the list of State Threatened and Endangered Wildlife in 1979, and the animal s range remains limited in distribution and abundance. A State Wildlife Grant funded project is being conducted to calculate how much suitable habitat currently exists, determine the status of pine marten in those habitats, and develop a strategic plan to provide for the complete restoration of this New Hampshire mammal. 50 State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T American Bittern, photo courtesy of USFWS Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Salt Marsh Bird Research S harp-tailed sparrows, willet, and American bittern are species of concern in New Hampshire and the broader eastern seacoast. Work funded by State Wildlife Grants will be initiated to better understand the status of these bird species in New Hampshire via surveys of suitable habitat, an assessment of nesting success, and an assessment of the risk of predation and flooding. A plan for long-term monitoring of these species will also be developed. Congress has appropriated $3.7 million in State Wildlife Grants to New Hampshire since This has been matched with at least $962 thousand state and partner dollars. New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game 11 Hazen Drive Concord, NH (603)

53 New Jersey State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of New Jersey s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Peregrine Falcon, photo courtesy of Beth Balbierz Management: Proactive Measures that The Landscape Project The Landscape Project is a proactive approach to the long-term conservation of New Jersey s wildlife and natural areas. Funded by State Wildlife Grants, this project looks at the plant and animal communities of the state and, in combination with information on species foraging and breeding needs, creates maps of habitat critical to the survival of New Jersey s wildlife. These maps are available to municipalities, planning boards, developers, environmental consultants, and other decision-makers and members of the general public. By helping to inform development, resource extraction, and regulatory measures, The Landscape Project is a cost-effective way to plan for wildlife conservation. Pine Barren Tree Frog, photo courtesy of AFWA Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Pine Barren Tree Frog T he health of the pine barren tree frog is an indicator of disease and pollution that affects us all. The pine barren tree frog has been declining in New Jersey as their habitat has been degraded by water withdrawal and increasing PH levels associated with residential and agricultural development. This State Wildlife Grant project monitors the tree frog and investigates the impacts associated with various land uses including farming, forestry practices, and development. Information gathered by this study will inform conservation decisions, benefiting the health of wildlife and people and conserving Pine Barrens wildlife for future generations to enjoy. Semi-palmated Sandpiper, photo courtesy of USFWS Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Delaware Bay Shorebird Conservation Project A s many as 13 species of Arcticnesting shorebirds rest along their migratory journey each spring on the Delaware Bay in New Jersey. Delaware Bay and Atlantic coast marshes provide essential resources for migratory birds including the semi-palmated sandpiper, short-billed dowitcher and dunlin. Using funds from the State Wildlife Grants program, populations of these shorebirds will be monitored to identify and protect essential habitat and work toward habitat conservation in New Jersey, Delaware Bay, and the migratory flyway. This is a cost-effective way to conserve migratory shorebirds for future generations. Congress has appropriated $7.3 million in State Wildlife Grants to New Jersey since This has been matched with at least $1.3 million state and partner dollars. New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife 143 Van Syckels Road Hampton, NJ (609) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 51

54 New Mexico State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of New Mexico s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: New Mexico, photo courtesy of USGS Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Conserving the Rio Grande Sucker The Rio Grande sucker, once common in New Mexico, is now found only in one shallow meandering stream called Hot Creek. In order to protect this state endangered species and to prevent it from becoming a federally listed endangered species, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has used State Wildlife Grants to develop a restoration plan. Biologists have worked to transplant the sucker from Hot Creek into three other rivers. This is a proactive approach to conserve the Rio Grande Sucker before it becomes more rare and more costly to protect. Leopard Frog, photo courtesy of USGS Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Places Chiricahua Leopard Frog Restoration The Chiricahua leopard frog became a federally listed endangered species in 2000, after a decline in its population due to habitat loss and fragmentation, disease, and environmental contamination. Now State Wildlife Grant funds are being used to return the Chiricahua leopard frog to the mountains, valleys and river drainages where it has historically lived. After reintroducing the frogs to new habitat, biologists will use radio transmitters to track how the frogs do in their new home. Since the health of frogs is an early indicator of disease and pollution that affect us all, information on the Chiricahua frog will ultimately benefit both wildlife and people. Burrowing Owl, photo courtesy of New Mexico Game and Fish Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Short Grass Prairie Bird Conservation I n order to take proactive measures to conserve wildlife and vital natural areas for future generations, decisionmakers need solid information. The Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory and the New Mexico Game and Fish Department are using State Wildlife Grants to get the most thorough information possible. This project will initiate an inventory and monitoring system for grassland birds in northeastern New Mexico as part of a regional monitoring effort. Information from the study will be used to develop a comprehensive conservation plan for short-grass prairie birds. Having complete knowledge of where various species of birds are living in the state will enable cost-effective conservation decisions. Congress has appropriated $6.2 million in State Wildlife Grants to New Mexico since This has been matched with at least $3 million state and partner dollars. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish P.O. Box Santa Fe, NM (505) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

55 New York State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of New York s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Windmills, photo courtesy of EPA Management: Proactive Measures that Protecting Migratory Birds and Bats E ffective conservation of migratory birds and bats, including many species in need of conservation, requires better information on their migration patterns through New York State. Specifically, information is needed to help prevent birds and bats from flying into wind energy developments and other tall structures, often resulting in death. This project will assess the ability of various techniques to protect birds and bats migrating through areas where such structures exist. This is a proactive and cost-effective way to conserve these species for future generations while meeting our energy needs today. Dragonfly, photo courtesy of USFWS Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Dragonfly Atlas T he health of dragonflies is an indicator of disease and pollution that affect us all. Though dragonflies have been around since before the dinosaurs, there has been almost no research done on this insect, which eats many types of pests. With funding from State Wildlife Grants, a three-year survey is being conducted in New York using hundreds of volunteers to catalogue all the dragonfly species in the state. Researchers are predicting that at least 10 new species will be discovered as a result of the survey. Data gathered by the project will help make informed conservation decisions that will keep dragonflies common for future generations to enjoy. Research on Peconic Bay, photo courtesy of AFWA Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Comprehensive Bay Scallop Restoration Plan H istorically, bay scallops represented an important shellfish resource in Peconic and Gardiner s bays in eastern Long Island. Bay scallops have experienced a 99 percent decline in abundance since 1985 due to the occurrence of an unusual algal bloom known as brown tide. Brown tide kills the eel grass in which mussels live, and discourages recreational fishing, boating, and swimming. This State Wildlife Grant funded project will develop a Comprehensive Bay Scallop Restoration Plan and evaluate a pilot bay scallop spawning sanctuary. Results will provide vital information for the rehabilitation of bay scallop resources in New York State and may lead to a greater understanding of brown tide, which would benefit both wildlife and people. Congress has appropriated $17.6 million in State Wildlife Grants to New York since This has been matched with at least $3.3 million state and partner dollars. New York Division of Fish, Wildlife, and Marine Resources 625 Broadway Albany NY (518) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 53

56 North Carolina State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of North Carolina s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Black Skimmer, photo courtesy of NCWRC Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Attracting Waterbirds to North Carolina s Coast T he North Carolina shoreline has historically been home to black skimmers, common terns, and gullbilled terns, but unfortunately these species have become rarer in recent years as their nesting areas have been lost. State Wildlife Grants have helped efforts to conserve the birds by funding a highly successful project to provide safe nesting sites. Using decoys and recorded bird calls to attract terns and skimmers, the 2005 nesting season saw the hatch of hundreds of chicks. Biologists are highly encouraged by this success and believe efforts such as this will help stem declines and ultimately protect populations of other types of waterbirds for future generations. Neuse River Bridge, photo courtesy of DOT Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Urban Wildlife Project O ver the past two decades, North Carolina has been one of the most rapidly growing states in the nation with the bulk of the population increase occurring in and around Piedmont urban centers. State Wildlife Grants have helped initiate the Urban Wildlife Pilot Project in the Piedmont area to promote open space conservation through land use planning and land conservation. This is a proactive approach that steers development away from sensitive wildlife habitat and encourages compact communities with associated connected open spaces. As our communities grow, this project is helping us fulfill our responsibility to conserve wildlife and vital natural areas which in turn enhance our own quality of life. Neuse River, photo courtesy of USFWS Management: Proactive Measures that North Carolina Watershed Enhancement Initiative C lean water. Outdoor recreation. Wildlife conservation. These are some of the things the North Carolina Watershed Enhancement Initiative is working towards with the help of State Wildlife Grants. The program staffs specialists who work with other government agencies as well as non-profits to improve wildlife habitat, increase access for hunters, anglers, and wildlife watchers, and conserve wildlife and vital natural areas for future generations. This is a cost-effective way to protect the areas that are important to many of our family traditions. Congress has appropriated $8.7 million in State Wildlife Grants to North Carolina since This has been matched with at least $1.8 million state and partner dollars. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 1751 Varsity Dr. NCSU Centennial Campus Raleigh, NC (919) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

57 North Dakota State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of North Dakota s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: White Pelicans at Chase Lake, photo courtesy of USFWS Management: Proactive Measures that White Pelican Disappearance The white pelicans of Chase Lake are disappearing by the thousands and no one knows why. Over four days in May of 2004, the number of white pelicans at the lake dropped from 27,000 to 80, and thousands of eggs and chicks were left unattended and dying. In 2005, 18,000 adult pelicans returned to Chase Lake for nesting. Everything seemed to have returned to normal until July, when dead white pelican chicks began turning up 8,000 at last count and the adults again took off. State Wildlife Grants are being used to help unravel this mystery, as well as to gather basic data on white pelican behavior. Since the health of wildlife is often an early indicator of disease and pollution that affect us all, understanding why the white pelicans are disappearing is important to us all. Short Horned Lizard, photo courtesy of North Dakota GFD Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Mammals, Reptiles, and Amphibians As our communities expand, wildlife habitat is altered, leading to changes in the distribution and abundance of a wide range of animals. State Wildlife Grants are helping us understand how climate change and human land use are affecting a variety of wildlife, including small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. By comparing the data collected by this project to information on species diversity in the 1970s, biologists will be able to identify how populations have shifted over the past three decades. That information will help planners and decision-makers make proactive decisions to conserve wildlife for future generations. Golden Eagle, photo courtesy of Steve Messick Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Golden Eagle Research on the Missouri National Grasslands The status of golden eagles in North Dakota is unclear, but many eagle nests in the state do not have eagles living in them. A U.S. Forest Service study of factors that might negatively affect nesting golden eagles on the grasslands was expanded with State Wildlife Grant money to include surrounding lands, making this the first comprehensive study on the subject. Information from this research project will allow biologists to determine the status of golden eagles and will inform wildlife management decisions, allowing the most cost-effective path to golden eagle conservation to be taken. Congress has appropriated $3.7 million in State Wildlife Grants to North Dakota since This has been matched with at least $637 thousand state and partner dollars. North Dakota Game and Fish Department 100 N. Bismarck Expressway Bismarck, ND (701) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 55

58 Ohio State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Ohio s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Freshwater Mussels, photo courtesy of Ohio Division of Wildlife Woodiebrook stream survey, photo courtesy of Ohio Division of Wildlife Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Woodiebrook Stream Restoration T hanks to State Wildlife Grants, a strain of wild brook trout native to Ohio is reproducing naturally again in the cold, clear waters of Woodiebrook, a small stream in northeast Ohio. Unusual geology and a mature wooded river corridor combined to make Woodiebrook one of the few streams in Ohio that could naturally support trout. However, in the late 1980s, developers dammed the stream to create a pond, with the intention of building a housing development at the site. Instead, the Chagrin River Land Conservancy purchased the land and set about to restore the stream and reintroduce the brook trout. This highly successful project has helped us fulfill our responsibility to conserve the brook trout and Woodiebrook stream for future generations. Yellow-throated Warbler, photo courtesy of Ohio Division of Wildlife Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative V arious agencies and conservation organizations have written bird conservation plans in the past several years, but no single approach to bird conservation has been undertaken until now. The Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative has brought together groups such as the Ohio Division of Wildlife, Audubon Ohio, and Black Swamp Bird Observatory. These organizations have adopted a single list of bird conservation goals and are coordinating their efforts for cost-effective results. State Wildlife Grant funds have allowed the Division of Wildlife to support this initiative s development and will be instrumental in providing future support for the plan s implementation. Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Freshwater Mussel Conservation & Research Center Opens F reshwater mussel health is an indicator of disease and pollution that affect us all. With the help of State Wildlife Grants, a research and educational facility dedicated to freshwater mussels and other freshwater organisms opened in November 2002 at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. This facility will improve our understanding of the basic biology of imperiled mussels, with the ultimate goal of restoration to bolster of existing mussel populations. This is a cost-effective way to conserve and learn about mussels, which will help us monitor clean water, safeguarding the health of both wildlife and people. Congress has appropriated $11 million in State Wildlife Grants to Ohio since This has been matched with at least $2.9 million state and partner dollars. Ohio Division of Wildlife 2045 Morse Rd., Bldg. G Columbus, OH (614) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

59 Oklahoma State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Oklahoma s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Painted Bunting, photo courtesy of Oklahoma DWC Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Conserving Wild Birds O klahoma s wild birds capture the attention of more than 700,000 people every year. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is working with an international coalition of biologists and organizations to benefit approximately 300 migratory species of songbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds and water birds that spend time in Oklahoma. By developing inter-state and inter-country conservation plans, we ll help the natural places these birds live in so they may continue to bring peace and relaxation to our busy lives. Mussel Collection, photo courtesy of Oklahoma DWC Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Freshwater Mussel Study T he state s wildlife and people will continue to enjoy clean water and healthy stream systems, in part, through an Oklahoma freshwater mussel study funded by State Wildlife Grants. Freshwater mussels play a primary role in keeping lakes and streams clean. Since the health of wildlife is often an early indicator of disease and pollution, understanding the relationship between water conditions and freshwater mussels will benefit wildlife and people. Information gathered by the study will help gain a clearer understanding of this relationship and provide important data that will inform natural resource management decisions. Mexican free-tailed bats, photo courtesy of Oklahoma DWC Restoration: Proactive Measures that Rare Bat Conservation A population of migratory Mexican free-tailed bats annually herald good news for wildlife watchers and Oklahoma farmers. One million visiting bats eat 10 tons of local insect pests every night in rural, northwestern Oklahoma. The Oklahoma cave is a summer home and nursery for the state s largest maternity colony of Mexican free-tailed bats. The impressive colony has drawn thousands of visitors eager to bear witness to the bats remarkable evening flights. A population monitoring project through State Wildlife Grants is helping us learn more about this colony so we can fulfill our responsibility to conserve these bats for future generations of visitors and farmers. Congress has appropriated $5.6 million in State Wildlife Grants to Oklahoma since This has been matched with at least $1.1 million state and partner dollars. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation P.O. Box Oklahoma City, OK (405) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 57

60 Oregon State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Oregon s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Monitoring Waterfowl for Disease, photo courtesy of Eric J. Hansen Management: Proactive Measures that Preventing and Responding to Wildlife Diseases T he health of wildlife is often an early indicator of problems that could affect us all. Emerging diseases can have devastating effects on wildlife and possibly affect human health and local economies. State Wildlife Grants are helping Oregon proactively address wildlife diseases, especially non-native ones (e.g., Chronic Wasting Disease, avian flu, West Nile Virus), before they become a problem in the state. Working with other state and federal agencies, conservation and hunting organizations, and the public, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is taking action to plan, prevent, and monitor diseases. This allows us to identify and prevent problems before they threaten wildlife and affect local communities. Tidepools Reveal Their Secrets at Low Tide, photo courtesy of ODFW Conservation: Managing Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Working Together to Conserve Marine Fish and Wildlife Oregonians have diverse connections to Oregon s ocean some with generations of local fishing experience in their families, beachcombers, business owners, scuba divers, students, and many others. Using State Wildlife Grants, ODFW biologists collaborated with people who work, play, and have an interest in Oregon s coast to address significant issues facing our state s marine resources, now and in the future, by developing a broad, holistic strategy that identifies nearshore marine species and habitats in need of conservation action. ODFW is now working with local communities to implement actions that will conserve ecological functions and nearshore marine resources, benefiting both wildlife and people for generations to come. Japanese Knotweed Threatens Wildlife Habitat, photo courtesy of TNC Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Meeting the Challenge of Invasive Species P lants and animals that do not naturally occur in an area can crowd out native species; disrupt the natural balance of ecosystems; and greatly impact farms, ranches, and forests. Successfully solving these problems requires early detection and rapid response, followed by habitat restoration. Oregon is working with partners to assess risk, prevent introductions of problem species, control and contain infestations, and monitor these efforts. Prevention and early, coordinated action is the most cost-effective way to minimize the effects of invasive species on Oregon s wildlife, natural areas, and economy. Congress has appropriated $6.6 million in State Wildlife Grants to Oregon since This has been matched with at least $1.5 million state and partner dollars. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 3406 Cherry Ave NE Salem, OR (503) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

61 Pennsylvania State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Pennsylvania s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Bat Gate, photo courtesy of NPS Management: Proactive Measures that Bat Gates on Abandoned Mines Bats hibernate in the winter, requiring undisturbed sleep. Bats disturbed by explorers and vandals use limited energy resources when awakened and because they have no food sources in the winter they cannot make up for this excess use of stored energy. Meanwhile, people who wander into abandoned mines endanger themselves as these structures are often unstable and may collapse. In order to contribute to the overall conservation and recovery of bat populations in Pennsylvania and to protect people, State Wildlife Grants have been used to gate abandoned mines with temperatures preferred by rare bat species or used by large numbers of bats. This protects people while ensuring bats have the important habitat they need, and improving the livability of nearby areas as bats naturally pursue and consume nuisance insects. Rayed Bean, photo courtesy of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Protecting Freshwater Mussels T he French Creek watershed is among the most ecologically diverse aquatic systems of its size in the Northeastern United States, yielding 27 freshwater mussels species and over 80 species of fish. Thirteen species found here are considered imperiled in Pennsylvania and some species have global importance. These critical data on mussels, fish assemblages, and habitat were used to develop conservation strategies and identify additional research initiatives to protect these ecological treasures of Pennsylvania. Peregrine Falcon, photo courtesy of PGC Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Learning about Peregrine Falcons M any adult peregrines do not migrate in the winter, yet each fall, young falcons disappear from their home ranges. Although presumably migrating, few of these juvenile falcons are ever seen again. Satellite telemetry units were placed on nestling peregrine falcons in Pennsylvania to track their activity for up to two years. Through the use of satellite telemetry and Web-based outreach efforts, viewers and school classrooms were able to follow each peregrine s migration route to their wintering grounds between Long Island and North Carolina. Video cameras have also been set up to monitor peregrine nests and live footage can be viewed at dep.state.pa.us/dep/falcon/. Congress has appropriated $11.9 million in State Wildlife Grants to Pennsylvania since This has been matched with at least $4.3 million state and partner dollars. Pennsylvania Game Commission Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 59

62 Rhode Island State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Rhode Island s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Rhode Island Wetlands, Photos Courtesy of Rhode Island FWD by providing critical habitat and clean water. State Wildlife Grants are partially funding a project that will place a conservation easement on approximately 130 acres of land along the Sakonnet River and Donovan Marsh, which flow into Narragansett Bay, ensuring that they will remain healthy even as our communities grow. These wetlands harbor plants and animals that help clean water and provide flood protection, but like others nationwide, are threatened by development. Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water and Wildlife Conserving Healthy Wetlands T he rivers and streams that run Conservation easements are unique into Narragansett Bay benefit wildlife management tools that purchase development rights for an area, but allow other uses such as hunting, boating, and fishing. This project benefits both people and wildlife by protecting critical wildlife habitat and conserving the natural places that are important to many of our family traditions. Glen Avon Farm, photo courtesy of Rhode Island FWD Management: Proactive Measures that Glen Avon Farm Conservation Easement T he Glen Avon Farm, in western Rhode Island, was identified in Rhode Island s wildlife action plan as being a priority conservation area in the state. A conservation easement on this 1,000-acre property will both protect wildlife habitat and provide recreational opportunities. Located next to other conservation parcels, the Glen Avon Farm will become a core conservation area of over 2,700 acres that supports several key habitats and species in need of conservation. A management plan, currently being developed, will ensure public access for hiking, hunting and fishing, improving the opportunities for public outdoor recreation. This is a cost-effective way to conserve wildlife and natural places that bring peace and relaxation to our busy lives. Photo courtesy of Ohio Division of Wildlife Congress has appropriated $3.7 million in State Wildlife Grants to Rhode Island since This has been matched with at least $6.3 million state and partner dollars. 60 State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T Rhode Island Fish and Wildlife Division P.O. Box 218, Greatneck Rd West Kingston, RI (401)

63 South Carolina State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of South Carolina s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Robust Redhorse, photo courtesy of the Robust Redhorse Conservation Committee Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Robust Redhorse Reintroduction R obust redhorse, a South Carolina fish, were thought to be extinct for more than 120 years until their rediscovery in A regional coop- erative effort was initiated in 1995 to work towards recovery of the species and avoid having it listed as endangered. State Wildlife Grant funds were used to provide information on the species population and habitat. This led to the decision to reintroduce the species to the Broad River as part of a conservation plan developed through the regional effort. State Wildlife Grants will be used to continue support of robust redhorse recovery efforts in South Carolina, a proactive program that is cost-effectively conserving wildlife for future generations. Kiawah Island, photo courtesy of NOAA Management: Proactive Measures that Hammock Island Best Management Practices Hammock islands are small coastal islands surrounded by salt marshes and tidal creeks. They provide important habitat for a diverse group of wildlife species, including the painted bunting, a high priority species for conservation in South Carolina. As coastal development spreads on the mainland, the value of hammock islands as habitat for both people and wildlife increases. With significant support from State Wildlife Grant funds, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is learning how to minimize the impacts of development on hammock islands. This project will help wildlife by putting knowledge to work in a public /private collaborative process that will lead to guidelines for the islands development and management. American Oyster Catcher, photo courtesy of USFWS Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife American Oystercatcher Conservation and Management A signature shorebird on South Carolina s coast, the American oystercatcher has been experiencing sharp declines in recent years, mostly as a result of increasing human activity on beaches and waterways. Funded by State Wildlife Grants, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources biologists are learning more about how to maintain healthy populations of the oysters that both humans and oystercatchers depend on. This is a proactive and cost-effective way to conserve the American oystercatcher while at the same time benefiting people. Congress has appropriated $4.5 million in State Wildlife Grants to South Carolina since This has been matched with at least $1.3 million state and partner dollars. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources P.O. Box 167 Columbia, SC (803) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 61

64 South Dakota State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of South Dakota s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Bat Gate, photo courtesy of Joel Tigner, SDGFP Management: Proactive Measures that Gating of Abandoned Mines and Caves A t least 11 bat species live in the Black Hills, and eight of them depend on underground roosting sites, such as caves or mines, for survival. Such areas are increasingly vulnerable to loss from erosion around the entrance, and for safety, many mines have been permanently sealed without first determining whether bats use the site. The South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks Department is identifying and categorizing natural caves and abandoned mines for their importance to bats. The result is the installation of gates that prevent people from getting into the unstable caves while allowing bats free passage to important roost sites. This protects people while ensuring bats have the important habitat they need, improving the livability of nearby areas as bats naturally pursue and consume nuisance insects. Osprey, photo courtesy of Doug Backlund, SDGFP Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Osprey Reintroduction Osprey were nearly decimated by the effects of DDT and other pesticides in the 1950s. Today, they remain a state threatened species and currently nest only in the Black Hills. Thanks to a new project, South Dakota is working to reestablish a population of osprey on the Missouri River. Thus far, osprey chicks have been reintroduced to two sites located along the river in southeastern South Dakota, but there is still more to be done. The South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks Department plans to continue the project with State Wildlife Grants funding. This reintroduction program is key to the conservation of osprey before they become even more rare and costly to protect. LaFramboise Island, photo courtesy of Dave Ode, SDGFP Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Cottonwood Forest Management L aframboise Island Nature Area attracts people who like to hike, bike, bow-hunt, cross-country ski, and watch birds. This remnant cottonwood floodplain forest is an increasingly rare habitat that supports resident, wintering, and migratory wildlife. This forest type is declining due to the lack of natural flooding, invasion of exotic plant species, and increasing sedimentation from the loss of natural flows of the Missouri River. State Wildlife Grant money was used to investigate wildlife habitats on the island and recommend ways to enhance the area. This will allow us to conserve the wildlife and natural places that are important to many of our family traditions. Congress has appropriated $3.7 million in State Wildlife Grants to South Dakota since This has been matched with at least $1.5 million state and partner dollars. South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks 523 East Capitol Avenue Pierre, SD (605) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

65 Tennessee State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Tennessee s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Oak Savannah, photo courtesy of USFWS Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Oak Savannah Habitat Establishment T he southern pine beetle epidemic of was catastrophic to the pine trees of Tennessee. Large areas of hardwood forest where pines had previously stood were left bare. One place that was especially hard hit was the Catoosa Wildlife Management Area in eastern Tennessee. With the help of State Wildlife Grants, prescribed burns and other management techniques have been used to establish 400 acres of oak savannah habitat in this area. Oak savannah is especially good habitat for birds, and 31 different species have since been observed in the Catoosa Wildlife Management Area. This type of proactive management is a costeffective way of conserving wildlife and vital natural areas for future generations to enjoy. Lake Sturgeon, photo courtesy of USFWS Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Lake Sturgeon Restoration in the Upper Tennessee River System Five years ago, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency partnered with the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Tennessee Aquarium, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to reestablish lake sturgeon in the upper Tennessee River. Since then, over 12,000 lake sturgeon have been released into the French Broad River, Holston River, and upper Tennessee River. A radio-telemetry study is being conducted to determine where the released lake sturgeon are living. This study will provide valuable information describing lake sturgeon habitat, where that habitat occurs, and in what amounts. This is a cost-efficient way of determining what action, if any, needs to be taken to ensure that the reintroduction of lake sturgeon is successful. Bottomland Hardwood, photo courtesy of USFWS Management: Proactive Measures that Bottomland Hardwood Reforestation B ottomland hardwoods are home to a wide variety of wildlife and birds including Swainson s warbler, the cerulean warbler, and the swallowtailed kite. Multiple conservation groups have identified this type of forest as habitat of primary concern in west Tennessee. State Wildlife Grant funds are being used for seed collection, tree seedling storage, and planting of 300 acres of bottomland hardwoods. By keeping water clean, bottom hardwood forests not only benefit the health of wildlife but also of people. Congress has appropriated $6.3 million in State Wildlife Grants to Tennessee since This has been matched with at least $2.6 million state and partner dollars. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency P.O. Box Nashville, TN (615) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 63

66 Texas State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Texas wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Master Naturalist Program, photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Master Naturalist Program The Texas Master Naturalist program educates people about the wildlife and vital natural places of Texas, conserving them and enhancing our own quality of life. Funded with State Wildlife Grants, the program trains and manages volunteers who become stewards and advocates for natural resources in their communities. This program has been so successful it has been expanded to other states. The next step will be to create a Junior Master Naturalist program that will educate children on the importance of good stewardship, helping to ensure that wildlife and vital natural areas will be there for future generations to enjoy. Nacogdoches, photo courtesy of USDA Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Urban Wildlife Workshops A s our communities grow, State Wildlife Grants are helping fulfill our responsibility to conserve wildlife, and the places they live, by funding the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department s Urban Wildlife Program. This program conducts landowner workshops for urban-based private landowners. Many of these are new, small acreage landowners who know little about wildlife and natural habitat management. Popular workshops include presentations on prescribed burning, habitat restoration, and pond management. Attendance at the workshops is high; sometimes over 200 landowners may attend. This is a proactive way to engage local landowners in conserving wildlife before they become more rare and costly to protect. Guadalupe Mountains, photo courtesy of USGS Management: Proactive Measures that Borderlands Conservation T he Texas-Mexico border region is one of the most ecologically rich areas in Texas, yet a burgeoning human population threatens the wildlife of this area. State Wildlife Grants are helping Texas work with Mexico to develop joint conservation projects that will address international wildlife issues affecting the Texas-Mexico border region. Developing, coordinating, and administering programs and activities to help conserve wildlife in this vital natural area is a high priority and the partnership with Mexico will make this project stronger. Congress has appropriated $18.3 million in State Wildlife Grants to Texas since This has been matched with at least $1.5 million state and partner dollars. Texas Parks and Wildlife 4200 Smith School Rd Austin, TX (800) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

67 Utah State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Utah s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Farmer and Seed Coordinator, photo courtesy of BLM Management: Proactive Measures that Sagebrush Management and Habitat Restoration W hen land is well managed, both wildlife and people benefit. State Wildlife Grants in Utah are being used to better manage sagebrush land areas so livestock have better grazing areas and wildlife have better homes. In addition, wildlife monitoring funded by State Wildlife Grants will provide information to biologists and decision makers, allowing the most cost-efficient conservation decisions. Projects like this conserve wildlife and natural areas, enhancing our own quality of life. Microbiologist Chris Heck, photo courtesy of Utah DWR Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Implementation of Sensitive Species Program S tate Wildlife Grants in Utah are being put to use to conserve wildlife and vital natural areas by restoring habitat, monitoring and managing wildlife, and improving stewardship on both public and private lands. Five biologists, hired with State Wildlife Grant funds, participate in wildlife rehabilitation programs and research projects that will inform decisions and provide cost-effective solutions to management questions. The biologists are also testing for West Nile Virus and other diseases. The health of wildlife is often an early indicator of disease and pollution that affect all of us, this project is allowing us to identify and prevent problems before they threaten wildlife and affect humans. Castle Creek, photo courtesy of Utah DEQ Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Fish Protection The least chub is a rare type of fish found only in Utah. State Wildlife Grants have been instrumental in helping conserve the least chub for future generations by supporting research about where it is living. This study lead to the discovery of a genetically different population of the least chub in a previously undocumented location. Other State Wildlife Grant money has been used to create a second community of these least chub in a different location. This is a proactive way to conserve the least chub before they become more rare and more costly to protect. Congress has appropriated $5.1 million in State Wildlife Grants to Utah since This has been matched with at least $1.5 million state and partner dollars. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources 1594 W. North Temple Salt Lake City, Utah (801) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 65

68 Vermont State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Vermont s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Peregrine Falcon, photo courtesy of USFWS Lake Sturgeon, photo courtesy of VFWD Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife Bright Futures Ahead for the Osprey, Loon & Peregrine Falcon T he osprey, common loon, and peregrine falcon were recently removed from the state s endangered species list the first ever in Vermont. Their recoveries came about because state and federal wildlife agencies, nongovernmental organizations, electric utilities, and private landowners collaborated to address the problems that had decimated the birds populations: habitat loss, pollutants such as lead and mercury, and pesticides that weaken eggs. Monitoring and recovery planning funded by State Wildlife Grants is an essential element to complete recovery. Inspired by these recoveries and armed with State Wildlife Grant funds, communities will go on to proactively conserve other wildlife, to enhance our quality of life, and our economies for future generations. Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Lake Champlain Lake Sturgeon Restoration Project Sturgeon numbers in Lake Champlain dropped dramatically in the first half of the 1900s due to commercial fishing and loss of spawning habitat. The lake sturgeon is now listed as an endangered species in Vermont. With funding from the State Wildlife Grants program, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department biologists documented spawning activity, by collecting sturgeon eggs or larvae, in all four rivers that had been used as spawning sites in the past. Future efforts such as improving habitat by restoring a more natural flow regime in rivers during the spawning and incubation periods, removing obstructions to historic spawning sites, public education, and continued protection efforts should put Lake Champlain s lake sturgeon on the road to recovery. Culvert, photo courtesy of VFWD Management: Proactive Measures that Building Fish-Friendly Roads and Improving Wildlife Passage Fish and other aquatic wildlife require unfettered movement through streams and rivers to maintain healthy populations. Man-made obstacles such as poorly designed culverts get in their way. With funding from the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program (the precursor to State Wildlife Grants), and in partnership with the Agency of Transportation, the Fish & Wildlife Department hosted an intensive training session with national expert Kozmo Bates, where more than 60 road managers, fisheries biologists, and others learned state-of-the-art fish and wildlife friendly road designs. Vermont s many successful wildlife-transportation projects have made the state a national leader in road ecology. Congress has appropriated $3.7 million in State Wildlife Grants to Vermont since This has been matched with at least $644 thousand state and partner dollars. 66 State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department 103 South Main Street South Waterbury, VT (802)

69 Virginia State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Virginia s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Virginia, photo courtesy of USFWS Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Land Use Planning H abitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation caused by human development are among the most serious threats to wildlife populations and communities in Virginia. Often, the most cost-effective means to protect our wildlife heritage is through planning activities and permits. Through State Wildlife Grants, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has been able to provide guidance to public and private landowners on proper management techniques for wildlife populations and their habitats as well as review and comment on land use plans and environmental assessments. As Virginia s communities grow, this effort will help the state fulfill its responsibility to conserve wildlife and the places they live for future generations. Freshwater Mussel Research, photo courtesy of USFWS Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Freshwater Mussels T he health of freshwater mussels is often an early indicator for disease and pollution that affect us all. Of the 81 species of mussels that live in Virginia, half are federally or state listed as endangered or threatened species and others are declining at an alarming rate. State Wildlife Grants are being used to propagate mussels in a hatchery and then release them into streams to bolster and restore these declining populations. Outreach to private landowners is also helping to restore and enhance mussel habitat. This is a proactive approach that will prevent more mussels from becoming endangered, and benefit the health of wildlife and people while saving taxpayer money. Virginia Bird Watcher, photo courtesy of USFWS Management: Proactive Measures that Important Bird Area Program P eople enjoy watching birds. With over 400 species to watch in Virginia, it is important to conserve what brings peace and relaxation to our busy lives. The Important Bird Area Program is an international initiative for saving birds and other wildlife. State Wildlife Grants enable Virginia to join this exciting effort to identify and protect outstanding habitat for birds. By protecting the places birds live, we ensure their health and survival so that future generations can continue to enjoy their beautiful songs and colors. Congress has appropriated $7.4 million in State Wildlife Grants to Virginia since This has been matched with at least $1.5 million state and partner dollars. Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries 4010 West Broad Street Richmond, VA (804) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 67

70 Washington State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Washington s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Harlequin Duck, photo courtesy of Washington DFW Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Marine Bird Monitoring The inner and outer marine waters of Washington State are host to key winter and summer concentrations of highly diverse populations of marine birds and sea ducks. Significant declines, ranging as high as 80 to 95 percent in the last 20 years, have been documented in at least 13 of the 18 marine bird species that are monitored. State Wildlife Grants are funding winter monitoring that will identify management actions to help stabilize and recover these marine birds. By gathering important information on these bird populations, biologists will be able to make informed decisions that will ultimately benefit both wildlife and people. Prairie oak habitat, photo courtesy of Washington DFW Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Prairie and Oak Woodland Habitat Conservation and Restoration T he west-side grassland and oak woodlands of Washington have been decimated in recent years by human development and sprawl. A range of rare organisms including mammals, birds, amphibians, insects, and plants that inhabit these grasslands and oak savannah edges are currently considered rare and in danger of extinction. State Wildlife Grants are helping to conserve these two important ecosystems through restoration and management projects that address the wildlife most in need of help and the areas in which they live. Mountain Goat, photo courtesy of Washington DFW Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Conserving Mountain Goats and Mountain Quail I n Washington, there has been a steady decline in mountain goat and mountain quail numbers over the last several decades. Currently, overall numbers may be high enough to avoid listing as threatened or endangered, but if the decline continues much longer, listing will be inevitable. The primary goal of this project is to reverse the downward trend in these and other priority wildlife species through on-the-ground activities, such as habitat restoration, research, and land acquisition. The secondary goal is to develop partnerships with volunteers in the community and schools to collect scientifically valid information important in conservation and management. Congress has appropriated $7.5 million in State Wildlife Grants to Washington since This has been matched with at least $1.9 million state and partner dollars. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 600 Capital Way North Olympia, WA (360) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

71 West Virginia State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of West Virginia s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Owl Box, photo courtesy of West Virginia DNR Management: Proactive Measures that Northern Saw-whet Owl Monitoring W est Virginia wildlife biologists have used State Wildlife Grants to place 165 Northern saw-whet owl nest boxes at several sites throughout the Monongahela National Forest. This will help determine the breeding distribution of this owl in the state, allowing natural resource managers to more cost-effectively plan for the future. This study will provide natural history data for the Northern saw-whet owl in the central Appalachians where minimal research has been conducted. Master Naturalist Program volunteers have stretched the limited federal State Wildlife Grants dollars even further by checking the nest boxes for this elusive owl. Butterfly, photo courtesy of West Virginia DNR Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife West Virginia Biodiversity Scorecard I nformation is the key to good decision-making. State Wildlife Grants are now helping us make important wildlife management decisions by funding the Biodiversity Scorecard. This project will compile and analyze information on wildlife, producing a fully understandable distribution of key species and ecological communities. Organizing the information we have in this manner will allow us to make the best management decisions, conserving wildlife and natural places that bring peace and relaxation to our daily lives. Aquatic Data Collection, photo courtesy of West Virginia DNR Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Developing an Aquatic Classification System G ood information is the key to making decisions that will best benefit wildlife and people both now and in the future. Natural Heritage staff are using State Wildlife Grants to collect data that will be used to classify aquatic communities and allow biologists to predict which fish species should be found in any given portion of a stream. In addition to looking at fish and invertebrate species, researchers are factoring in water chemistry, surrounding land use, stream bottom characteristics, and geology. The resulting classification system will be useful when deciding which aquatic communities across the state are in need of conservation and /or restoration. Congress has appropriated $3.6 million in State Wildlife Grants to West Virginia since This has been matched with at least $650 thousand state and partner dollars. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources P.O. Box 67 Elkins, WV (304) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 69

72 Wisconsin State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Wisconsin s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Turtle Valley, photo courtesy of Wisconsin DNR Linen Mill Dam, photo courtesy of Wisconsin DNR Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Linen Mill Dam Removal Rivers are important to many of our family traditions. Removal of the final dam across the Baraboo River in 2001 allowed this river to run freely along its entire 120 mile length for the first time in at least 100 years. The Linen Mill Dam was the lowermost dam (and the last of four dams removed) on the Baraboo and the most significant in terms of blocking fish migration in the river. Partially funded by State Wildlife Grants, the removal means that species such as lake sturgeon, walleye, sauger, bigmouth buffalo, and freshwater drum will be able to access the upper reaches of the river for spawning. By conserving the fish and wildlife of this vital river, our own quality of life is enhanced. Management: Proactive Measures that The Great Wisconsin Birding Trail T he Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail system, partially funded by State Wildlife Grants, is good for wildlife, good for the economy, and brings peace and relaxation to our busy lives. Highway-based driving trails link wildlife viewing sites within each region, leading travelers to the best birding and wildlife watching opportunities Wisconsin has to offer. Two regional trails have been completed with viewing guides, maps and bird checklists. The guides also list lodging and camping information, and a third trail is near completion. The trail has received the Wisconsin Rural Partners Inc. Top Rural Development Initiative award for Conservation: Protecting Imperiled Land, Water, and Wildlife Wetland Restoration in Turtle Valley Wetlands are an extremely valuable ecosystem for both people and wildlife, providing natural water quality improvement, flood protection, erosion control, and the economic and social benefits of family recreation. Turtle Valley State Wildlife Area is a 2,200- acre wetland and grassland restoration project located in the heavily populated southeast region of Wisconsin. State Wildlife Grant funds have supported restoration efforts to return the area to its natural state, benefiting both wildlife and people. In the spring of 2005 the appearance of three endangered whooping cranes on the site provided clear evidence that the wetland is helping us fulfill our obligation to conserve wildlife for future generations. Congress has appropriated $6.6 million in State Wildlife Grants to Wisconsin since This has been matched with at least $2.8 million state and partner dollars. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 101 S. Webster St. PO Box 7921 Madison, Wisconsin (608) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T

73 Wyoming State Wildlife Grant Success Stories of Wyoming s wildlife. The following are some projects funded through State Wildlife Grants: Sage Grouse, photo courtesy of USFWS Roundtail Chub, photo courtesy of USBR Restoration: Working with Partners to Bring Back Wildlife and Natural Areas Helping Fish in the Green River T he Green River is a big western river that starts in Wyoming s Wind River Mountains and winds its way through the desert to the Colorado River, hundreds of miles away. It s a river that s been impacted by dam construction, creation of channels, and other problems. It s also a river that s home to three species of fish that need our help: the bluehead sucker, flannelmouth sucker, and roundtail chub. State Wildlife Grants are funding a multi-year effort to learn more about these three species. This information will be used by multiple states to plan a management strategy that will eliminate the need to list these species under the Endangered Species Act. This conserves wildlife and natural places before they become more rare and costly to protect. Wyoming Frog, photo courtesy of USFWS Research: Gathering Information to Take Action Amphibian Assessment One of the biggest challenges facing natural resource managers in Wyoming is a lack of information. Insufficient data, especially concerning amphibians, makes planning and management costly and ineffective. State Wildlife Grants are helping to change this by funding basic research on Wyoming s amphibians. Detailed statewide surveys will allow the Department of Game and Fish to develop long-term action plans that will eliminate the need to list these species under the federal Endangered Species Act, helping to conserve wildlife and vital natural areas for future generations to enjoy. Management: Proactive Measures that Sage Grouse Management The sage grouse has suffered a longterm decline in numbers and has been proposed for listing as threatened in the west. A variety of reasons have been offered for this decline, including drought, grazing, predators, sagebrush habitat losses, mineral development, urbanization, and loss of water sources. State Wildlife Grant funds will be used to evaluate the type, intensity, and timing of grazing systems and natural fire cycles that are compatible with and help maintain the life needs of sage grouse. Taking proactive measures to conserve the sage grouse may help avoid listing the bird as threatened, saving taxpayer money. Congress has appropriated $3.7 million in State Wildlife Grants to Wyoming since This has been matched with at least $860 thousand state and partner dollars. Wyoming Game and Fish Department 5400 Bishop Boulevard Cheyenne, WY (307) State Wildlife Grants F I V E - Y E A R A C C O M P L I S H M E N T R E P O R T 71

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