State Wildlife Grants Program

In 2000, Congress created the State Wildlife Grants Program which, for the first time, provided funding to state fish and wildlife agencies for the management on non-game species. The funding was distributed to states with the condition that each state develops a comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (see Wisconsin's Wildlife Action Plan). As a result, federal dollars are funneling into states to prevent species and habitats from becoming endangered.

Ten Years of Success

For over a decade, this program has been an important source of funds to help keep America’s common species common and to conserve wildlife before they become too rare and costly to protect them.

Watch the 10-year Anniversary Video for State Wildlife Grants (exit DNR)

Program in Action

State Wildlife Grants are conserving wildlife and natural places by protecting clean water and air – making both wildlife and people healthier. The grant program has allowed Wisconsin to take immediate actions to protect all wildlife in the places they live, starting with the animals most in need of help and those for whom we can do the most good. This funding is intended to supplement, not duplicate existing fish and wildlife programs. Funding in the program is provided for species with the greatest conservation need, species indicative of the diversity and health of the state's wildlife, and low and declining populations. It's an opportunity to integrate management of wildlife species, build valuable partnerships, and support efforts to provide more secure, long-term funding. Wildlife are losing habitat every day across the United States. With State Wildlife Grants, we can fulfill our responsibility to conserve wildlife and the places they live for future generations.

Wisconsin’s Wildlife Action Plan was approved by the Natural Resources Board in August 2005 and accepted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in September 2005. Wisconsin's State Wildlife Grant apportionments are typically $1 million to $1.5 million annually.