The Conservation Federation of Missouri has awarded $10,800 to conservation organizations in its first year of Missouri Teaming With Wildlife Mini Grants. The nine grants will empower citizen conservation efforts within Conservation Opportunity Areas around the state.
Area groups to receive grants were:
• Chert Glade Master Naturalists — Canoes for Conservation
Funds will be used to purchase two canoes and related equipment to aid in water quality education programs, creek cleanups and riparian restoration in the Shoal Creek and Spring River Conservation Opportunity Areas.
• Wildcat Glades Conservation and Audubon Center — Conservation Opportunity Area Committee Development
Wildcat Glades will host quarterly partnership meetings for the Shoal Creek COA near Joplin and expand community restoration workdays.
• Southwest Missouri Chapter of Quail Unlimited — Roaring River State Park Glade Restoration
The Southwest Chapter of Quail Unlimited will restore four acres of glade habitat in the Roaring River Conservation Opportunity Area by removing Eastern Red Cedars.
The Teaming With Wildlife Coalition includes nearly 250 Missouri organizations and businesses that support additional funding for fish, forest and wildlife conservation and related education and outdoor recreation. The coalition also supports implementation of Missouri’s Comprehensive Wildlife Strategy – a statewide strategy that focuses on partnerships to increase habitat work in priority places – Conservation Opportunity Areas.
“It’s wonderful to see citizen conservation groups get involved and take ownership of local conservation efforts,” said Dave Murphy, CFM Executive Director. “Our organization is made of citizen conservationists, and we’re pleased to offer a program that supports their efforts.”
The Mini Grant program provides funds for a combination of partnership meetings and on-the-ground habitat restoration. “We’ve learned that partnerships are really key to increasing conservation activities,” said Amy Buechler, Teaming With Wildlife Coordinator. “In many cases, hosting a partnership meeting is the first needed step to jumpstart coordinated activities. In other cases, start-up money is needed to help accomplish a healthy habitat goal.”
The Conservation Federation of Missouri is the largest and oldest statewide citizen conservation organization in Missouri, working to conserve natural resources and protect Missouri’s natural heritage. Funding for the 2009 Teaming With Wildlife Mini Grant Program was provided by CFM, as well as through donations from Teaming With Wildlife partner organizations including the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Prairie Foundation, Audubon Missouri, The Nature Conservancy, and Audubon Society of Missouri. To learn more or to make a donation, please visit www.confedmo.org.
