美國魚類和野生生物局的國家野生動物基金(SWG)為11個州共撥款510萬美元,全美國的瀕危魚類和野生物都將從此獲益。
這些撥款重點放在富有成效的大規模保護專案上,它們同時將從各州及其夥伴那裡得到310萬美元以上的非聯邦資金,用於那些著力保護和恢復需要最大保護物種(SGCN)及其棲息地的項目。
局長丹·亞瑟說,“得到撥款支持的這些項目著力於保護美國最瀕危物種及其棲息地,這些項目之所以能得到資金,是因為它們與那些經過精心策劃的計畫相關聯,這些計畫識別出我們能對瀕危物種發揮最大作用的最優先地區。”
國家野生動物基金將使多個物種和棲息地受益,在北卡羅來納州和南卡羅來納州,合作夥伴們的工作將就吸口魚和另外52種魚類、貽貝和小龍蝦提供決策依據和管理指導。在明尼蘇達州,國家野生動物基金將支持保護行動,其受益對象包括瀕危的木雕水龜、罕見的光滑軟殼龜、布氏擬龜等最需要保護的龜類。
這些資金將被撥給愛荷華州、密蘇里州和伊利諾州,用於保護和改善多種鳥類和蝴蝶物種的棲息地。
“國家機構及其合作夥伴密切聯合起來以保護這些瀕危野生物種及其棲息地,這令人欣賞。”美國魚類和野生生物局魚類和娛樂用魚副局長說。
50個州和6個領地野生生物機構都批准了國家野生動物行動計畫,集體為保護最需要保護物種行動提供了全國性藍圖。
野生動物和娛樂用魚恢復計畫(WSFR)是有著75年歷史的合作項目,其宗旨是使魚類和野生生物受益,並給美國人提供進行野外活動的機會。該項目的資金來自用具製造商和購買者繳納的費用,尤其是釣魚者、划船者、狩獵者和射箭者使用的用具,這筆資金由聯邦和州魚類和野生物機構徵收和管理,用於上述提到的專案。美國政府與商界和各州政府一道,致力於保護本國不可替代的魚類和野生物寶庫。
Imperiled species of fish and wildlife in the U.S. will benefit from a total of $5.1 million in grants to 11 states through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s competitive State Wildlife Grants (SWG) program.
U.S. Wildlife
The grants, which focus on large-scale conservation projects yielding measurable results, will be matched by more than $3.1 million in non-federal funds from states and their partners for projects that work to conserve and recover Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and their habitats.
“The projects funded by these grants target some of the most imperiled species and habitats in the United States,” said Service Director Dan Ashe. “These projects are receiving funding because they are tied to well-thought-out conservation plans that identify the highest-priority areas where we can make the biggest difference for imperiled species.”
The State Wildlife Grant funds will benefit a variety of species and habitats: In North Carolina and South Carolina, partners’ work will help inform decision-making and management for the robust redhorse and up to 52 additional fishes, mussels and crayfish. In Minnesota, State Wildlife Grant funds will support conservation actions to benefit the imperiled wood turtle, the rare smooth softshell turtle, the Blandings turtle and other turtle species of greatest conservation need.
The funding also will be used by Iowa, Missouri and Illinois to conserve and improve habitat for a range other bird and butterfly species.
“We appreciate the strong ties formed by state agencies and their partners to protect these imperiled wildlife species and their habitats,” said Hannibal Bolton, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Assistant Director for Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration.
All 50 states and six territorial wildlife agencies have approved State Wildlife Action Plans that collectively provide a nationwide blueprint for actions to conserve Species of Greatest Conservation Need.
The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR) is a 75-year partnership to benefit fish and wildlife and provide Americans with access to the outdoors. This program is funded through a fee paid by manufacturers and purchasers of gear typically used by anglers, boaters, hunters and shooters which is collected and managed by federal and state fish and wildlife agencies for programs like those just described. Working with the private sector and state governments, the United States Government is committed to protecting this country’s irreplaceable treasury of fish and wildlife.