Division of Wildlife
DOW Ushers in a New Era of Conservation with the Colorado Wildlife
Habitat Protection Program
The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) in
conjunction with the Colorado Habitat Stamp Committee and Great Outdoors
Colorado (GOCO) has announced a request for applications for funding
habitat protection in Colorado. This new initiative will be known as the
Colorado Wildlife Habitat Protection Program.
The Colorado Wildlife Habitat Protection Program provides an avenue for
private landowners, land trusts or other conservation organizations to
conserve critical habitat throughout the state. Open enrollment for all
program applications will be from June 1, 2006 to July 31, 2006. Up to
$20 million will be made available through DOW funds, Colorado Habitat
Stamp funds, GOCO and some federal grant money for the best applications
received. The emphasis will be placed on the purchase of easements to
ensure that all reasonable avenues are pursued prior to fee simple
acquisition. However, fee title purchases are allowed.
The main priorities for the program are important habitat for sage
dependent species including critical winter range and migration
corridors for big game species, Gunnison and greater sage grouse
habitat, Front Range riparian communities, important access for wildlife
recreation opportunities, critical wetlands, shortgrass prairie species
and lesser prairie chicken habitat.
Habitat loss can be a factor in the decline of wildlife species in
Colorado. The Colorado Wildlife Habitat Protection Program will work to
conserve remaining habitat.
“This program is a tremendous step forward for conservation in
Colorado,” said Bruce McCloskey, Director of the DOW. “Partnering with
other conservation organizations and landowners to multiply our
resources will help Colorado conserve wildlife habitat. Both the
residents and the wildlife of this state will benefit from this new
program.”
The monies raised to date by the new Colorado Habitat Stamp Program
provided the catalyst to initiate this comprehensive effort to protect
habitat and wildlife.
Through the combining of these funding programs the DOW is able to bring
together an array of species protection and land conservation tools and
incentives not otherwise available.
For more information on how to apply please visit:
http://wildlife.state.co.us/LandWater/
PrivateLandProgram/WildlifeHabitatProtectionProgram
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