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5/16/06

NEW REPORT SHOWS LANDMARK SUCCESS OF FIVE-YEAR-OLD GRANTS PROGRAM FOR WILDLIFE

Cuts by Congress threaten to stifle program achievements

Washington , D.C. (March 16, 2006)- The nation's 50 state fish and wildlife agencies aren't waiting around for more wildlife to be listed on the Endangered Species List. According to a new report that documents the last five years of the State Wildlife Grants Program, state fish and wildlife agencies are working ahead to prevent threats to habitat, population and health, and making a real difference for America's wildlife.

The State Wildlife Grants Program is the nation's core program for preventing wildlife from becoming endangered; and, according to the report, titled " State Wildlife Grants Five-Year Accomplishment Report," (available by clicking here) from restoring bog turtle populations in Georgia's wetlands to protecting the Chipola River in Florida, the program is a model for conservation success. Despite the success of the last five years, State Wildlife Grants received a major cut in funding by the U.S. House of Representatives last week, recommending only $50 million of the $74.7 in the Presidents budget.

"State Wildlife Grants have made it possible for state fish and wildlife agencies from California to Maine to take on pressing wildlife concerns before requiring emergency tactics," said John Cooper, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks and President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. "As the Five Year Accomplishment Report Shows, State Wildlife Grants have been highly successful. I sincerely hope that the Senate steps up and restores funding for this core program."

Prior to the creation 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 State Wildlife Grants. In a survey of 32 states, State Wildlife Grants was the single largest source of funds for wildlife diversity programs. The program has been a boon to struggling state wildlife diversity budgets. For example, in Montana the 1992 wildlife diversity budget was $130,000, while State Wildlife Grants provided more than $1 million to Montana 's wildlife diversity program in 2005 alone. This funding is now in jeopardy with the proposed cut.

Hailed by republicans and democrats alike as vital to conservation efforts and an important investment for future generations of Americans, over 170 Representatives and 56 Senators have signed a letter asking that the program receive $85 million in FY 2007, just as it did in 2002.

"State Wildlife Grants is an essential funding source for every State Fish and Wildlife Agency and a core program for conserving our nation's wildlife," said Senator Crapo (R-ID), Co-Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus. "This type of collaboration and cooperation is exactly what we should focus on if we want to make significant progress in species recovery. State Wildlife Grants saves taxpayer dollars by preventing more endangered species listings and I hope my colleagues in the Senate will join me in working to restore funding for State Wildlife Grants at $85 million."

The State Wildlife Grants Five-Year Accomplishment Report highlights how these federal funds are addressing pressing conservation needs in each state. In Missouri for example, State Wildlife Grants funding was used to fix polluted groundwater which was feeding into Tumbling Creek Cave -the most biologically diverse cave west of the Mississippi . In Kansas , State Wildlife Grants funds are helping cattle farmers determine which grazing techniques will protect nesting grassland birds while also optimizing beef production.

"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," said Dale Hall, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The State Wildlife Grants program is supported by Teaming with Wildlife, a national coalition of more than 3500 groups representing wildlife biologists, state wildlife agencies, conservationists, hunters, anglers, birdwatchers, nature-based businesses, and many others who support the goal of restoring and conserving our nation's wildlife. On March 1, Teaming with Wildlife announced a new campaign to boost state and federal funding for wildlife conservation and related recreation and education in every state. Increased funding of the State Wildlife Grants Program is an important component of this campaign, which supports the full implementation of the state wildlife action plans.

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Teaming with Wildlife is spearheaded by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, which represents North America 's fish and wildlife agencies. Teaming with Wildlife is driven by a steering committee of 13 organizations. They are: The Nature Conservancy; American Fisheries Society; American Zoo and Aquarium Association; Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation; National Wild Turkey Federation; National Wildlife Federation; Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership; Wildlife Conservation Society; The Wildlife Society, and; the Wildlife Management Institute. Additional information on the State Wildlife Grants program and the Teaming with Wildlife campaign is available at www.teaming.com .