COLUMBUS, OH - Conservation organizations and educational institutions are encouraged to apply for a portion of the $150,000 now available in state wildlife grants, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

“This is a great opportunity for organizations to fund their conservation projects,” said Kendra Wecker, wildlife diversity coordinator for the Division of Wildlife. “Applications can be for new or ongoing projects and can cover a wide range of efforts.”

Conservation organizations, colleges and universities, as well as qualified individuals may apply for the grants. Project proposals benefiting all of Ohio’s terrestrial and aquatic wildlife species will be considered.

To qualify, projects must produce a defined benefit to wildlife, provide evidence of matching funds, and be able to meet a completion date of June 30, 2007. Applicants will be scored on how well the proposed actions will benefit a species, its habitat, and coexisting flora and fauna. Educational or informational benefits, cost effectiveness, relative need of the project, and the sustained benefits to wildlife also will be considered.

Grant funding is provided by a portion of the $1.8 million Ohio received from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The majority of the federal money is being used to fund Division of Wildlife research and conservation partnership projects, such as bald eagle, trumpeter swan and osprey restoration, and the reintroduction of Karner blue butterflies.

Grant applications and accompanying information can be obtained from the ODNR web site at ohiodnr.com or by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE. Applications must be returned to the Division of Wildlife by 5 p.m. Thursday, December 1.