State Wildlife Grants Project Summaries
The first year of the program (SWG '02) provided $3.7 million for projects in New York State, the second year provided $2.8 million (SWG '03), and the third year provided $2.9 million (SWG '04). The apportionment for New York for the fourth (SWG '05) and fifth (SWG '06) years were also $2.9 million.
During fall 2002, DEC invited public input to help plan for the use of SWG '02 funds and to develop a list of "species of greatest conservation need." Those species were the focus of our SWG projects and a Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CWCS) that was developed and submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by October 1, 2005. Twenty-eight projects were approved for funding in the first year (SWG '02) and in the second year (SWG '03), 18 projects received funding by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the third year (SWG '04), all funding was dedicated to the hiring of new staff members. The projects for years four (SWG '05) and five (SWG '06) were determined based on recommendations from the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CWCS).
The proposed projects are diverse, covering all animal groups, all areas of the state, and ranging in scale from ecosystems to subspecies. The projects vary in length from one to five years, and include baseline surveys, research, conservation planning, and habitat protection.
