In a recent meeting in Salt Lake City, conservation groups allocated a record $6.6 million toward 94 wildlife projects aimed at habitat restoration and conservation in Utah. The Utah Conservation Permit Program, established in 1980, funds these initiatives through limited-entry hunting permits. The funding process involves collecting proposals due each January, assessing their impact, and ultimately selecting projects for support.
Key projects funded include improvements to deer and elk habitats, research on wildlife migration, and enhancement of watershed health. Notable funded projects include the Watts Mountain Habitat Improvement, the Central Region Mule Deer & Upland Game Habitat Project, and improvements in the Book Cliffs area.
Through these efforts, over 163,000 acres of wildlife habitat will be enhanced, benefiting species such as deer and elk. Since 2001, these conservation permits have generated over $88 million, crucial for sustaining wildlife populations and habitats across Utah. Participating conservation groups include prominent organizations like the Mule Deer Foundation and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Funds from these permits are vital for ongoing and future conservation efforts.
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