Federal grant program offers as much as $400,000 for large conservation projects
TOPEKA -- Application materials for the State Wildlife Grants (SWG) are now available from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP). The SWG is a federal grant program funded in part by CFDA 15.634 Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, and administered in Kansas by KDWP. The priority of this program is to fund projects that benefit nongame fish and wildlife and their associated habitats. Federal regulations require that projects benefit “species of greatest conservation need,” which may include listed federal and state endangered and threatened species.

KDWP will distribute as much as $400,000 of SWG funds through competitive sub-grants. Eligible applicants include local governments, nonprofit corporations, and educational institutions. Federal regulations require that a minimum of 50 percent of project costs be matched with non-federal funds.

To be eligible, proposals must address issues and strategies identified in Kansas' Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan (CWCP), entitled “A Future for Kansas Wildlife" (FKW), which may be found online here. Higher priority consideration will be given to research proposals that specifically address the following:

• distribution, population dynamics, habitat requirements, and life history characteristics that further define specific habitat correlations with broadhead skink (Eumeces laticeps), smooth earth snake (Virginia valeriae), redbelly snake (Storeria occipitomaculata), delta hydrobe (Probythinella emarginata), or spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius);

• the impacts of wind energy production and transmission in priority habitats as designated in the CWCP. Special consideration will be given to projects that quantify the impacts of habitat fragmentation and/or large vertical structures (e.g., powerlines, turbines) on nesting dynamics of grassland birds or the behavior of migration/resident birds and/or bats; or

• the impacts of in-stream obstructions (impoundments, low-water crossings, enclosed culverts, and diversions) on aquatic organism passage (AOP) in priority aquatic habitats as designated in the CWCP. Special consideration will be given to projects that evaluate the effectiveness of different engineering designs toward mitigating the impact of current in-stream obstructions on AOP, river and stream continuity, and wildlife passage.

Potential applicants have the option of submitting preliminary applications for review by March 27, 2009. The deadline for final applications is April 24, 2009. For more information concerning this program or to request application materials, write the Office of Federal Aid, KDWP, 1020 SW Kansas, Room 200, Topeka, KS 66612, or phone 785-296-2281. Persons with special communication needs may use the Kansas Relay Center, 1-800-766-3777.
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