May 19, 2025
The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds the distribution of over $55 million for state fish and wildlife agencies to restore and manage Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) through the implementation of State Wildlife Action Plans. Last week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced the disbursement of funds through the State Wildlife Grants Program to support state efforts to conserve at-risk species and their habitats across the nation.
“State Wildlife Grants are vital for proactive conservation efforts that prevent species from becoming endangered, enhancing regulatory certainty and avoiding costly recovery measures,” said Judy Camuso, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and President of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. “We are grateful to the Service for the continued transparent and responsible administration of these funds and thank Congress for recognizing the return on investment for the American taxpayer.”
Established in 2000, the State Wildlife Grants (SWG) program has been proven to strengthen local economies. More than 100 million Americans participate in wildlife-related recreation such as hunting, fishing, birding, hiking, and photography. The outdoor recreation economy generates $1.2 trillion in economic output, contributes 2.3% to GDP, and supports 5 million American jobs. Healthy fish and wildlife populations are the foundation of this economic engine. State Wildlife Grants provide money to states, territories, commonwealths, and D.C. to address wildlife conservation needs such as research, surveys and species and habitat management. Projects focus on wildlife species of greatest conservation need identified in State Wildlife Action Plans. State Wildlife Action Plans are the blueprints for conserving the nation’s fish, wildlife, biodiversity, and their habitats. Recent successes include the delisting of the least tern, downlisting of the American burying beetle, and not warranted findings for the brook floater and yellow banded bumblebee. Examples of projects funded by State Wildlife Grants include:
- Bat Conservation in Iowa and Illinois, 2025 through 2027. The Iowa and Illinois Departments of Natural Resources are working together to expand acoustic monitoring of at-risk bats, improve habitat on public and private lands, and evaluate the effectiveness of habitat management methods. The project targets bat species identified as Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the two States’ Wildlife Action Plans, including the federally listed Indiana bat, northern long-eared bat, and other bat species that are proposed or under review for Federal listing. Among other objectives, the partners will increase knowledge of bat biology and improve current stewardship practices in the two States.
- Assessment and conservation of Blanding’s and spotted turtles in Michigan and Ohio. The Michigan and Ohio Departments of Natural Resources are continuing their successful partnership to conserve at-risk turtles at a large landscape scale. This project will collect key information on the status, distribution, and ecology of Blanding’s and spotted turtle populations in Michigan and Ohio to inform and prioritize management efforts. Both species have experienced range wide declines and are currently in review for Federal listing under the Endangered Species Act. Data and other key information generated through this project will be shared with other stakeholders and partners and contribute to range-wide recovery efforts for these species.
- Habitat enhancement for Species of Greatest Conservation Need in conservation areas of Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources will improve and expand high priority habitats for at-risk reptile and pollinator SGCN across the two states. Targeted species include rusty patched bumble bee which is federally endangered and monarch butterfly which is a candidate for Federal listing. A wide variety of conservation actions will be implemented within priority conservation areas, including prescribed burning, brush removal, invasive plant control, and pollinator plantings. Wisconsin will also provide technical assistance to private landowners to help manage and improve natural communities and habitats for these and other declining species identified in the agencies’ Wildlife Action Plans.
As the only source of federal funds for states to manage the full breadth of species in the public trust, State Wildlife Grants are critical to the success of locally-led, collaborative conservation. In addition, State Wildlife Grants have a significant positive impact on the economy, contributing to job creation, income generation, and increased tax revenue. These grants support conservation efforts that benefit local economies through increased tourism, recreational activities, and the preservation of natural resources.
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The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies represents North America’s fish and wildlife agencies to advance sound, science-based management and conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats in the public interest. The Association represents its state agency members on Capitol Hill and before the Administration to advance favorable fish and wildlife conservation policy and funding and works to ensure that all entities work collaboratively on the most important issues. The Association also provides member agencies with coordination services on cross-cutting as well as species-based programs that range from birds, fish habitat and energy development to climate change, wildlife action plans, conservation education, leadership training and international relations. Working together, the Association’s member agencies are ensuring that North American fish and wildlife management has a clear and collective voice.