The Fish and Boat Commission Tuesday announced an invitation for project applications to the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program.  Applications are due January 29.

These projects will help address two priority conservation needs in Pennsylvania: Evaluating the status of crayfish species, especially in western Pennsylvania, and

Assessing the status of two rare mussel species, the Brook Floater and Eastern Lampmussel.

“Crayfish are important to the ecology of Pennsylvania’s streams, but basic information such as native contemporary crayfish distribution is lacking, especially in western Pennsylvania,” said Chris Urban, Chief of the PFBC Division of Natural Diversity. “Gathering this information will help assess the conservation status of crayfish species and guide management and protection efforts.”

Freshwater Mussels are among the most imperiled aquatic animals in the United States. In recent years, the PFBC and partners have been actively surveying rivers and streams in the Commonwealth.

This project will continue these survey efforts focusing on the Brook Floater and Eastern Lampmussel, both of which are considered critically imperiled in Pennsylvania.

The PFBC anticipates final selection of projects by mid-February, 2016.

Federal dollars for this program are awarded to the PFBC from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program. Awarding funds for selected projects will be contingent upon availability of funds.

For more information and an application packet, visit the Fish and Boat Commission’s State Wildlife Grant Program webpage.

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