WILDLIFE ACTION GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR TEACHERS

CONCORD, N.H. -- Teachers interested in starting wildlife habitat
projects can apply to the Homes for Wildlife Action Grant Program at New
Hampshire Fish and Game for start-up funds. The program provides
mini-grants of up to $300 -- or $600 with matching funds -- for projects
allowing students and educators to enhance habitat for people and
wildlife. The deadline for submitting proposals is November 15, 2005.
For a proposal packet, write to Marilyn Wyzga, Public Affairs Division,
N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H. 03301;
email mwyzga@wildlife.state.nh.us; or call (603) 271-3211.

The Homes for Wildlife Action Grant Program is designed to support
student environmental action that can be measured in acres improved or
protected for wildlife. Activities can include hands-on schoolyard or
community habitat improvement or projects influencing community
attitudes about maintaining or protecting wildlife habitat.

The grant program is funded by the Conservation License Plate fund,
through the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program at Fish and Game.
Each applicant may request up to $300, or up to $600 if a
dollar-for-dollar match can be provided by the school or organization
for any amount over the initial $300. A match is not required for the
first $300.

Grants are available to educators working in cooperation with Project
HOME or Project WILD. Project HOME is an award-winning schoolyard
habitat program coordinated by Fish and Game. Project WILD provides
teachers with wildlife materials through interactive, interdisciplinary
workshops about wildlife and the environment.

Who can apply for the Wildlife Action Grants?
* Project HOME facilitators;
* Teachers and educators trained in Project WILD; or
* Any teacher with a member of one of these programs on the project
team.

"We're looking for student-driven action projects that will directly
benefit wildlife," says Marilyn Wyzga, coordinator of the Project HOME
schoolyard habitat program at Fish and Game. "Projects with the best
chance of long-term success involve schools assembling a team of staff,
students, community members and resource professionals."

EXAMPLES OF PAST PROJECTS funded by Wildlife Action Grants include:

* Berlin High School installed 10 bat boxes along the Dead River and
planted grasses for vegetative cover in runoff areas.

* Holderness Central School used the award to help establish native
shrubs and perennials for birds and butterflies as part of a Quiet
Courtyard restoration project.

* Beaver Meadow School in Concord established 4 pollinator gardens
using seeds and young plants that host butterflies and other insects and
birds. They also replaced 6 invasive burning bushes with appropriate
native plants.

* Milan Village School received a second grant to continue a school
wide project to reestablish habitat that was removed for a new school
addition. Development and enhancement of this habitat area will include
native trees and shrubs as well as bird boxes, and a bird feeding and
watering station, to supplement planned outdoor classroom elements. They
provided a thorough report of the initial phase of the project, for
which they had received a $250 grant in 2003-04.

Grant applications will be evaluated by staff from Project HOME and
biologists and educators from the N.H. Fish and Game Department. Grant
recipients are required to evaluate the progress of their project at the
end of the school year. Recipients may apply for grants in subsequent
years if additional funding is necessary, and also may apply for funds
for new projects.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the
state's fish, wildlife and marine resources. Visit online at
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us.