Second quarter grant applications were presented and voted on at the May 23, 2023 AZSFWC Board meeting. Funding for the grants is available through sales of our special Conserving Wildlife license plate. More information about the license plate and how you can obtain one can be found HERE.
Five grants were approved and included the following:
$50,000 was awarded to Conservation First USA for the Dude Fire Restoration Project, Phase I. This project is a 1,450-acre juniper mastication initiative located in the Tonto National Forest and is the first of a four-phase project. The desired future outcome is a healthy, vigorous ponderosa pine forest. Additional funding and in-kind support partners include US Forest Service, AZ Department of Forestry and Fire Management, AZ Game & Fish Department, Salt River Project, and Conservation First USA
$5,000 was awarded to AZ Elk Society for their Wapiti Weekend Outdoor Skills Camp. The 2-day event provides Arizona families an enjoyable outdoor experience as a platform for educating them on an appreciation of responsible outdoor recreation, wildlife, wildlife habitat and natural resource conservation. Participants will experience lessons on archery, firearm safety & shooting, kayaking & canoeing, fishing, hunter ethics, wildlife identification and calling, predator hunting, desert survival. Other funding and in-kind support partners include AZ Game & Fish Department, AZ State Parks, US Forest Service, 3G Archery, Trout Unlimited, Phoenix Varmint Callers, AZ Raptor Center, Road Runners Prospecting Club, Empower Ranch, Heritage Fund and AZ Elk Society.
$10,400 was awarded to AZ Desert Bighorn Sheep Society for Wildlife Transplant Equipment Upgrade. This project will create a new trailer with boxes that will double the transplant capacity over the old, outdated equipment. Other funding and in-kind support partners include AZ Game & Fish Department, AZ Antelope Foundation, and AZ Desert Bighorn Sheep Society.
$600 was awarded to AZ Council Trout Unlimited for the 14th Annual Native and Wild Trout Conference. The Conference was founded in 2010 with the goal to provide a free educational conference for those interested to meet, network, and develop future plans to promote restoration and management of watersheds and native fish species in Arizona. Other funding and in-kind support partners include AZ Game & Fish, Fly Fishers International and AZ Council of Trout Unlimited.
$8,162 was awarded to AZ Council Trout Unlimited to fund their Arizona Fish Camp. This joint venture with the Grand Canyon Council of Boy Scouts of America will provide education while inspiring youth to become our next generation of conservation leaders and natural resource advocates. Attendees to the week-long camp will learn about conserving, protecting, and restoring our aquatic resources while learning and enjoying the sport of fishing and fly tying. Volunteers from state-wide chapters of Trout Unlimited will participate. Funding partners for in-kind and direct costs include AZ Council Trout Unlimited, Grand Canyon Council Boy Scouts of America, and an AZ Game & Fish Local Sportsmen’s grant.