AFWA Invests Over $11 Million in Strategic Conservation

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies invested $11.75 million in conservation by approving 46 projects through the Multistate Conservation Grant Program. Association members formally endorsed these grants, which address critical conservation needs, at its 114th Annual Meeting, held September 22-25, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin.

For over two decades, the Multistate Conservation Grant Program (MSCGP) has been dedicated to conserving our nation’s fish, wildlife, and habitats and recreational access to them. The MSCGP was established through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000.

This cycle, the MSCGP has up to $12.25 million to support projects supporting fish and wildlife conservation work done by state fish and wildlife agencies and other conservation organizations. The 46 grants approved this year focus on five strategic priorities identified by the Association’s membership:

1. Conservation & Science
2. Expanding Relevancy and Engagement (ERE)
3. Capacity Building, Conservation Education, and Coordination of Conservation Policies
4. AFWA Priorities Identified in AFWA Funding Principles
5. Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation (R3)

The list of recommended grants will be submitted to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for final approval.

The Multistate Conservation Grant Program is administered by the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Learn more about the Multistate Conservation Grant Program.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies represents North America’s fish and wildlife agencies to advance sound, science-based management and conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats in the public interest. The Association represents its state agency members on Capitol Hill and before the Administration to advance favorable fish and wildlife conservation policy and funding and works to ensure that all entities work collaboratively on the most important issues. The Association also provides member agencies with coordination services on cross-cutting as well as species-based programs that range from birds, fish habitat and energy development to climate change, wildlife action plans, conservation education, leadership training and international relations. Working together, the Association’s member agencies are ensuring that North American fish and wildlife management has a clear and collective voice.