On May 13, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced that $320,866 in Wild Resource Conservation Program grants have been awarded to nine projects aimed at protecting Pennsylvania’s native biodiversity.

“These projects will help critical field research and on-the-ground conservation projects that protect some of our most vulnerable species across the commonwealth, specifically focusing on research in the effect of climate change on rare plants, medicinal and edible plants, moth and butterfly conservation, and other key conservation areas,” Dunn said. “DCNR will continue to support projects of this nature as we work to protect our native wildlife resources for future generations.”

Overseen by DCNR, the program safeguards Pennsylvania’s non-game animals, native plants and their habitat. Grants are awarded in three areas: species surveys, conservation and management.

Among this year’s grant priorities are surveys and projects focusing on edible and medicinal plants, effects of fire management on wildlife, the checkered sculpin fish, plant genetics and more.

The funded projects include--

-- Genetics of 3 Endemic Appalachian Plants (Bucknell University) -- $47,992

-- Climate Change Effects on Rare Plants (or the Distribution and Ecological Assessment of PA Plants of Special Concern) (Carnegie Institute) -- $29,746

-- Medicinal and Edible Plants (Penn State University) – $31, 663

-- Blue Lupine’s Response to Fire, Deer and Microhabitat Management (Penn State University) – $46,660

-- Freshwater Mussels and Invasive Fish in French Creek (Western Pennsylvania Conservancy) – $53,083

-- Moth & Butterfly Conservation Ranks (Western Pennsylvania Conservancy) – $30,423

-- Globally Rare Tiger Beetles of Pennsylvania (Western Pennsylvania Conservancy) – $32,362

-- Habitat Conservation Plan for Limestone Barrens (Western Pennsylvania Conservancy) – $10,173

-- Genetics of Endangered Pennsylvania Plant Species (Wilmington College) – $38,824

Click Here for more information on the specific projects.

New Grant Round

Applications are now being accepted for the 2022 round of funding, which will focus on surveys, research, conservation and management and climate change.

The deadline for applications is July 8.

Visit DCNR’s Wild Resource Conservation Program webpage for more information on grants.

Launched in 1982, Wild Resource Conservation Program encourages and supports research and protection efforts to conserve Pennsylvania’s diverse native wildlife resources, including bird and mammal species, amphibians and reptiles, insects and wild plants.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog,  Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

(Photo: Freshwater mussels.)

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[Posted: May 13, 2022]

5/16/2022