Project proposals sought for sage grouse benefit
Projects can be between $2,000 and $50,000
by Wyoming Game & Fish
December 10, 2006
Wyoming's eight local sage grouse working groups (LWGs) are once again seeking project proposals to benefit sage grouse and their habitat.
During its 2006 session, the Wyoming Legislature approved Gov. Dave Freudenthal's supplemental budget request for $1.1 million to support the LWGs and fund conservation projects benefiting sage grouse and their habitat. Similar funding from the 2005 legislative session resulted in 19 sage grouse projects being completed across the state.
The process for distributing the funds calls for anyone (individual, agency or organization) with a project to first submit that project to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, which will forward the application to the appropriate LWG. Application forms and complete instructions should be downloaded from the Game and Fish Department web site at
http://gf.state.wy.us/wildlife/wildlife_management/sagegrouse.
Application may be made at any time, but for first round consideration the application should be submitted prior to February 1, 2007. Projects not receiving immediate funding, but supported by the LWG, will be held for future consideration pending availability of additional funds. All monies must be spent or contractually obligated by June 30, 2008. The funds will be distributed as reimbursable grants in most cases.
Funds requested should generally range between $2,000 and $50,000. Proposals will be evaluated based on their consistency with the local sage grouse conservation plan, likelihood of success, project readiness, availability of matching funds, multiple species benefits, significance at local/state/regional level, duration of benefits, and adequacy of monitoring.
Wyoming's eight LWGs are: Jackson, Upper Green River Basin (Pinedale area), Southwest, South-central (Rawlins and Saratoga areas), Wind River/Sweetwater River Basin (Dubois, Riverton and Jeffrey City areas), Big Horn Basin, Northeast and Bates Hole/Shirley Basin (Casper and Laramie areas). The purpose of LWGs is to develop and facilitate implementation of local conservation plans for the benefit of sage grouse and, whenever feasible, other species that use sagebrush habitats. Participants include 10-15 people who live and/or work in the local working group area. Each working group includes representatives from agriculture, industry, conservation and government.
Questions may be directed to Tom Christiansen, Game and Fish sage grouse coordinator at (307) 875-3223 or by e-mail at: tom.christiansen@wgf.state.wy.us
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