On February 13, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Acting Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced that $290,734 in Wild Resource Conservation Program grants have been awarded to eight projects aimed at protecting Pennsylvania’s native biodiversity.

“These projects play an important role in ongoing conservation work to protect vulnerable wildlife species that are affected by climate change, human impacts and other threats,” Dunn said. “As the state agency responsible for stewardship of our natural resources, DCNR supports projects of these types to protect and preserve our native wildlife resources for future generations.”

Grants awarded include--

-- Bucknell University, $42,487: Population Genomics and Vulnerability Assessment of an Appalachian Endemic Plan. Study of bog Jacob’s ladder, plant species of concern, using a combination of traditional field-based assessments, population genetics methods and climate modeling

-- East Stroudsburg University, $32,430: Effects of Fire-based Management Activities on Terrestrial Vertebrates in PA’s State Game Lands. Examines the effects of prescribed burns on terrestrial vertebrates on state gameland and forests through pre- and post-burn surveys.

-- Friends of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, $45,000: Determining the Conservation Status of a Rare Pennsylvania Crayfish Using a Population Genetics Approach. Population genetics study of a rare Pennsylvania crayfish to determine appropriate management attention.

-- Penn State University, $39,428: Temperature Responses of the Chesapeake Logperch. Study of the thermal requirements and tendencies of Chesapeake Logperch, to understand the direct effects of temperature changes on fish mortality.

-- Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, $27,429: Data Review and Assessment of Historical Plant Occurrences. This project will use a desktop review process to analyze data for historical plant location sites and prioritize historic sites for field surveys.

-- Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, $32,238: Invertebrate Databasing Project to Support Species Assessment and Conservation. For groups of prioritized invertebrate taxa, the grantee will develop species lists, compile datasets and digitize specimen data that will be used in the 2025 PA Wildlife Action Plan.

-- Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, $36,000: Salamander Mussel Restoration Potential Using Propagated Juveniles. This project will implement the Salamander Mussel Species Action Plan with the goal of recovering the endangered Ohio River basin mussels.

-- Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, $35,722: Surveys Targeting Rock Vole (Microtus chrotorrhinus) and Long-tailed Shrew (Sorex dispar). Surveys for rock vole and long-tailed shrew, two mammal species listed in the PA State Wildlife Action Plan as species of greatest conservation need. Surveys and studies were called for in the 2015 PA Statewide Wildlife Action Plan for these two species.

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.

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.

Your Support

The Wild Resource Conservation Program is supported by donating all or part of your state income tax refund to the program, by the purchase of the River Otter vehicle license plate or with your contributions. 

Click Here for more on how you can support the program.

Visit DCNR’s Wild Resource Conservation Program webpage to learn more about the program.

Visit Explore PA Trails and Get Outdoors PA for recreation areas near you.

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.

NewsClips:

-- Erie Times - Brian Whipkey: $423 Million In Improvements, Renovations Coming To State Parks Over Next 3 Years

-- DCNR Wildfire Danger Map Forecasts Larger High Fire Danger Area For Feb. 14

-- DCNR Wildfire Danger Map Shows Reduced Danger For Feb. 15

-- Save Pennsylvania’s Forests Feb. 22 Webinar: Get To Know Your Forest - Pinchot State Forest.  Noon.

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: Crews Battle Large Brush Fire In Perry County

-- Erie Times: Otters Make Presque Isle Their Home, What Other Mammals Can You See In The Park?

-- Carlisle Sentinel: New Cumberland Resident Wins Award In PA Parks & Forests Foundation Photo Contest

Related Articles:

-- PA Environmental Defense Foundation Files Court Motion To Prevent Unconstitutional Spending Of DCNR Oil & Gas Revenues For Nonconservation Purposes  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Awards $290,734 In Wild Resource Conservation Program Grants  [PaEN]

-- PA Parks & Forests Foundation Penn's Stewards Spring Newsletter Now Available - An Interview With Bill Forrey  [PaEN]

-- Feb. 17 Take Five Fridays With Pam From PA Parks & Forests Foundation Now Available [PaEN]

[Posted: February 13, 2023]

2/20/2023