[Riverweb] IDNR seeks proposals for State Wildlife Conservation Grants

[csmith at prairierivers.org]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                CONTACTS: Chris McCloud
January 15, 2008
(217) 558-1540

IDNR seeks proposals for State Wildlife Conservation Grants

Grant program helps protect species in greatest need of conservation

SPRINGFIELD, IL - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is now
accepting pre-proposals for grants to fund projects through the 2008 State
Wildlife Grant (SWG) program.  The SWG program, funded through the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, provides funds specifically for the protection and
management of non-game species in the greatest need of conservation as
identified in the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan.

"This grant program is intended to help us put federal dollars to work on
the ground in Illinois now to conserve wildlife and vital natural areas for
future generations," said IDNR Acting Director Sam Flood.

Those organizations interested in seeking funds for wildlife conservation
projects in Illinois are asked to submit their grant proposals online
through the IDNR website no later than April 11, 2008.

The Illinois Wildlife Action Plan outlines specific steps - developed by
scientists, sportsmen, conservationists and members of the community - to
conserve wildlife before species become rarer and more costly to protect.
The SWG program provides funding to every state and territory to support
cost effective conservation aimed at keeping wildlife from becoming
endangered.

In Illinois, the program is administered by the IDNR Office of Resource
Conservation.

The Illinois allocation of these federal funds is uncertain at this time as
the U.S. Congress has not yet approved funding legislation.  Illinois
received approximately $2 million for the program in 2007 and funding at a
similar level is expected for 2008.  Approval of project proposals submitted
by the April 11 deadline will be subject to the final allocation of
available federal funding.

Annual SWG funds given to each state and territory are disbursed according
to population and land area, and are contingent upon annual funding
appropriated by Congress.

Under new guidelines released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for
2007, the new "Planning" definition allows for a match of 75 percent federal
funds to 25 percent state funds within certain parameters.  The new
"Implementation" definition restricts the match to a maximum reimbursement
of 50 percent of total project costs.

Information on the pre-application for the State Wildlife Grant program is
available on the IDNR web site at:
http://dnr.state.il.us/orc/wildliferesources/theplan/swggrant/login.asp

The Illinois Wildlife Action Plan is available on the IDNR web site for
review and/or to download at:
http://dnr.state.il.us/orc/Wildliferesources/theplan/

For more information on the State Wildlife Grant program in Illinois,
contact the IDNR Watershed Protection Section, One Natural Resources Way,
Springfield, IL 62702-1271, phone 217/ 785-5907, e-mail:
james.renn at illinois.gov.

The deadline for submitting project pre-proposals for the State Wildlife
Grants is April 11, 2008.

James Renn
Illinois Wildlife Action Plan Coordinator
IL Department of Natural Resources
Office of Resource Conservation
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62702-1271
217-785-5907
217-785-2438 fax
james.renn at illinois.gov



***PLEASE NOTE NEW ADDRESS***

Cecily Smith
Interim Watershed Organizer
Prairie Rivers Network
1902 Fox Drive, Suite G
Champaign IL 61820
217.344.2371