The Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering Wildlife Conservation Fund (WCF) grants to nonprofit groups and government agencies for projects that support wildlife conservation.

Grants are awarded through a competitive application process. A total of up to $300,000 in funding is available. The application deadline is Sept. 2.

Projects eligible for consideration include those related to:

• Habitat improvement (including aquatic habitat);
• Access to wildlife-related recreation;
• Hunter and angler recruitment and retention;
• Wildlife health;
• New watchable wildlife opportunities;
• Shooting sports;
• Information and education on nuisance wildlife;
• Wildlife population research;
• Smart growth efforts (projects incorporating wildlife habitat conservation to guide development or redevelopment of a neighborhood, community or region).

Eligible applicants include any agency of the state or any political subdivision, Indian tribe, or nonprofit organization exempt from federal income taxation under section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code for the purpose of conservation of wildlife or wildlife habitat, or acquisition of real property that is wildlife habitat.

All applicants must use the forms from the WCF grant packet and include all the documentation listed in the packet’s instructions. Application packets can be downloaded from www.azgfd.gov/w_c/wildlife_conservation_grant.shtml or by calling Grant Coordinator Robyn Beck at (623) 236-7530.

The deadline to submit applications is Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008 at 5 p.m. (MST). Applications must be in the department’s possession by the deadline; postmarks don’t count. Applications can be submitted to:

Arizona Game and Fish Department
Director's Office Funds/Planning
Attn: Grants Coordinator
5000 W. Carefree Highway
Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000

Two sets (one original and one copy) of the application and supporting documentation must be submitted. Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted.

The WCF Grant Program is one of several grant programs offered by Arizona Game and Fish and is different from the Local Sportsman Group Grant Program announced last week. The WCF Grant Program is funded by monies from the Arizona Wildlife Conservation Fund instituted in 2002 after Arizona voters approved Proposition 202, which continued limited and regulated gaming on Arizona tribal lands. Proposition 202 distributes a portion of shared gaming revenues, through the Arizona Benefits Fund, to the State of Arizona and local governments to support specified state and local programs.

For more information, visit The WCF Program or contact Grant Coordinator Robyn Beck at (623) 236-7530 or rbeck@azgfd.gov.