The Wild Resource Conservation Program’s 2006 grant application period is now open with applications due June 30.

Projects must directly or indirectly preserve or enhance habitat for Pennsylvania’s native flora and non-game fauna or increase understanding by the public or by scientists of biota, their habitat and their interactions.

Proposals should be consistent with the management objectives of the Game Commission for non-game birds and mammals; Fish and Boat Commission for non-game fish, amphibians, reptiles and aquatic organisms; the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for native wild plants, or the WRCP for general habitat projects or for species without an explicit agency having mission responsibility.

Applicants are encouraged to review the newly published State Wildlife Action Plan for lists of agency conservation priorities.

The WRCP application and forms, along with selection criteria and some guidance, have been modified from the 2005 application. Please read through the application carefully before preparing and submitting a proposal.

Anyone who wishes to discuss their grant idea ahead of time is welcome to contact the WRCP director, Sara Nicholas, as well as any of the WRCP agency coordinators--

· Sara Nicholas, WRCP, snicholas@state.pa.us , 717-783-1337 for overall guidance;

· Chris Firestone, DCNR, cfirestone@state.pa.us , 570-724-8149 for plant projects;

· Dan Brauning, PGC, dbrauning@state.pa.us , 570-547-6938 for mammal and bird projects; or

· Chris Urban, PFBC, curban@state.pa.us , 814-359-5113, for fish, reptiles, amphibians and aquatic insect projects.

For an application and instructions, visit the Wild Resource Conservation Program’s 2006 grant application webpage.

5/5/2006