Thursday, April 21, 2016

12 National Conservation Needs Selected for the 2017 Cycle of the Multistate Conservation Grant Program

State fish and wildlife agency directors approved a slate of 12 National Conservation Needs for the 2017 Multistate Conservation Grant Program (MSCGP)on March 17, 2016 during the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference held in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.

NCN 1: Outdoor Heritage – Participation, Recruitment, and Retention in Hunting, Fishing, Boating, and Conservation-related Recreational Activities; Enhanced Relations Among State Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the Related Industries

NCN 2: Strengthening the National Fish Habitat Partnership

NCN 3: The Management Assistance Team (MAT) or similar entity to increase leadership capacity and agency effectiveness within state fish and wildlife agencies and the conservation community through leadership and professional development initiatives, training, consulting, and support of the National Conservation Leadership Institute

NCN 4: Incorporating Fish and Wildlife Considerations into Energy Development Decisions

NCN 5: Preserve State Wildlife Agencies’ Authority to Manage Wildlife Resources and Promote Their Interest in the Implementation of International Treaties and Conventions

NCN 6: Policy and Legislative Advocacy - Implementing Goal 2 of AFWA's Strategic Plan

NCN 7: Implementing the Recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America’s Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources

NCN 8: Improve benefits for fish, wildlife, and their habitats as the 2014 and future Farm Bills are implemented

NCN 9: State Fish & Wildlife Coordination and Administration

NCN 10: Management of the 2016 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (National Survey)

NCN 11: Strengthening the State Fish and Wildlife Agency/Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program Partnership

NCN 12: Multistate Conservation Grant Program Coordination

The MSCGP funding Letter of Intent Announcement and Guidelines is on the AFWA website.

Each year, up to $6 million is available to fund MSCGP projects.  AFWA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service cooperatively administer the Multistate Conservation Grant Program.