Fourth quarter grant applications were presented and voted on at the November 26, 2024 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.
Four grants were approved and included the following:
$13,885 was awarded to the Arizona Antelope Foundation for the Pyeatt Ranch Mechanical Brush Management Project. A total of 160 acres of mesquite removal through mechanical treatment will be completed on two pastures (South and North Mesa pastures) located on Private and State Trust Lands, managed by the Pyeatt
Ranch within Game Management Unit 35A. Mesquites will be removed using an excavator, with all removed carcasses raked, piled and burned. Polygons identifying heavy mesquite concentrations within both pastures have been developed, which will result in grassland restoration to the mesa tops. This area is a historical travel corridor for Pronghorn traveling from the Sonoita Plains to Fort Huachuca. The removal of mesquite along the mesa top will allow for the unobstructed movement of Pronghorn and enhance available habitat and fawning areas to over 2,000 acres. Additionally, movement onto Fort Huachuca will be restored. Funding partners include the AZ Antelope Foundation and the Natural Resource Conservation Service.
$7,500 was awarded to Wildlife Water Works for the purchase of a 1,000 gallon water trailer used to haul water to remote locations in Region 2. With extended draught conditions, the need for water is great. Wildlife Water Works will provide additional funding.
$6,000 was awarded to AZ Chapter Trout Unlimited to fund their 2024-2025 Trout in the Classroom education program (TIC). TIC is a well-established environmental education program created and conducted throughout the US for trout and salmon and is in more than 4,000 classrooms. Students in grades 4 – 12 are involved in hands on experiences to:
- raise trout from eggs to fry
- monitor tank water quality
- engage in stream habitat study
- learn to appreciate water resources
- begin to foster a conservation ethic
- grow to understand ecosystems
Funding will not only support continuation of the program in existing schools in Arizona, but will also provide expansion to new schools. Partners include Arizona Game and Fish Department the Trout Unlimited Council and Chapters of Arizona.
$2,952 was awarded to the Prescott Unified School District Education Foundation to fund archery and fishing equipment to expand their annual
environmental & wildlife conservation education programs, and encourage the next generation of responsible hunters, anglers, and stewards of Arizona. The equipment will be used to facilitate an introduction to these essential outdoor activities during the annual PUSD fifth grade week-long trip at the James 4-H Camp on Mingus Mountain. This initiative will provide students with a unique hands-on
opportunity to connect with the great outdoors, in a new and meaningful way. Partners include Prescott Unified School District, AmeriCorps, and James 4-H Camp.