Fish and Wildlife Service today announced more than $66.7 million in grants to 16 states and Guam to support land acquisition and conservation planning projects on over 13,500 acres of habitat for 162 listed and at-risk species through the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (CESCF).
“These grants will enable state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies and their partners to advance the stewardship of our nation’s most imperiled species and the habitats upon which they depend,” said Service Director Martha Williams.
“This cooperative approach to conservation demonstrates a shared commitment to the Endangered Species Act’s purpose of protecting biodiversity.”.
This approach to conservation, done in cooperation with states, territories, willing landowners and local partners, furthers species conservation and economic development.
The Service also approved more than $9.1 million in grant awards to eight states and Guam under the Conservation Planning Assistance Grant Program.
This year’s awards will support 15 conservation planning efforts covering 135 listed, candidate and at-risk species.
The Service is working to actively engage conservation partners and the public in the search for improved and innovative ways to conserve and recover imperiled species. »