{"id":15550,"date":"2024-09-18T11:47:26","date_gmt":"2024-09-18T18:47:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.azgfd.com\/?p=15550"},"modified":"2024-09-18T11:52:17","modified_gmt":"2024-09-18T18:52:17","slug":"partnerships-key-in-record-year-for-wildlife-conservation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.azgfd.com\/2024\/09\/18\/partnerships-key-in-record-year-for-wildlife-conservation\/","title":{"rendered":"Partnerships key in record year for conservation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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NEWS RELEASE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sept. 18, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PHOENIX<\/strong> \u2014 The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), partnering with Arizona\u2019s wildlife conservation organizations, put a combined total of $24.2 million into on-the-ground projects for terrestrial and aquatic wildlife conservation in 2023.\u00a0

Equally impressive to the dollar amount was the teamwork it took to make these projects happen: 151 conservation partners helped complete 867 distinct efforts. See the\u00a0summary list<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0of projects, funding amounts and partners.\u00a0

\u201cIt\u2019s a great achievement, but we couldn\u2019t have done it without all of our partners,\u201d said Dan Sturla, AZGFD\u2019s Landowner Relations & Habitat Enhancement program manager. \u201cIt\u2019s all hands on deck to get that amount of money on the ground.\u201d\u00a0

Although project selection focused on those involving game species and projects that improved hunting and fishing opportunities throughout the state, many non-game species will benefit from this work as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“For example,” said Kyle Dutro, AZGFD habitat enhancement coordinator, “projects that involve removing encroaching woody vegetation from historic grasslands can benefit everything from pronghorn and elk to prairie dogs, ferrets, and other grassland obligate species.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The summary list is Arizona-specific. While federal partners make significant contributions to the state\u2019s wildlife, this list highlights what was done by AZGFD and its in-state, non-governmental partners. 

\u201cAlthough some of our efforts may include federal funding,\u201d said Sturla, \u201cwe wanted to focus this list on efforts led by non-federal partners.\u201d 

A record-breaking year of investment in Arizona\u2019s wildlife is exciting on its own and it\u2019s also helping build momentum for the future. 

\u201cAs soon as good things are done for wildlife, it grows and we bring in more and more partners,\u201d said Jake Jaeger, AZGFD Landowner Relations program coordinator. \u201cIt  wouldn\u2019t surprise me if next year it\u2019s even bigger.\u201d

A few highlights of the conservation work benefitting Arizona and its wildlife: 

Aquatic Projects<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n