| Until now, state fish and wildlife agencies have tried to conserve hundreds of species of fish and wildlife on shoestring budgets. While game species’ conservation has fared well, thanks to the sales of hunting and fishing licenses and user fees on gear, the rest of our nation’s wildlife has lacked secure and adequate funding for long-term conservation. |
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The result? An endangered species list that already tops 1000 and continues to grow. We need to take action now.
The "conservation blueprint" —or strategy—is your oppor- tunity to act. It has the potential to transform wildlife conservation efforts for all species from opportunistic to strategic, piecemeal to holistic, and crisis-driven to proactive. |
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The good news…State Wildlife Grants
Thanks to the untiring efforts of the 3,000 member groups of the Teaming With Wildlife Coalition, Congress passed the State Wildlife Grants program in 2001. New federal dollars are funneling into Oklahoma and other states to prevent species and habitats from becoming endangered.
How do we get the dollars?
Oklahoma and other states are receiving matching federal funds today as long as we complete a comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy (plan) by October 2005. A finished strategy is the key to millions of dollars in future funding. |
Not Just Another Plan
Money and scale set this strategy apart from other plans that collect dust on shelves:
Money: The actions defined by the strategy will receive millions of federal funds annually for implementation.
Scale: Strategies are being produced by every state, the territories, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Together, the strategies will provide a collective approach for safeguarding our wildlife legacy— efficiently and cost-effectively. |
