Groups fund nearly $4 million in Utah conservation projects

Conservation groups have dedicated $3.9 million to fund dozens of large wildlife research, conservation and habitat restoration projects in Utah. The highest funding—$186,000—went to the Utah Wildlife Migration Initiative, a project to track and study wildlife and fish movements in an effort to help target habitat improvements and wildlife crossings. Other top recipients include restoration projects to improve big game habitat on the Twelve-Mile Wildlife Management Area in Sanpete County and to remove encroaching pinyon pine and Utah juniper trees, treat noxious weeds and aerially seed native grasses and shrubs in the Mahogany Ridge area near Hardware Wildlife Management Area in Cache County.

Since 2008, conservation organizations have participated in an annual meeting to fund priority Utah conservation projects. The groups that participated this year include King’s Camo, Mule Deer Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Safari Club International, Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife Conservation Foundation, Utah Archery Association, Utah Wild Sheep Foundation and Utah’s Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit Association.

Read more from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.