This multifaceted AGREEMENT with the oklahoma department of wildlife conservation (ODWC) covers conservation practices on private lands and other activities throughout the state of oklahoma

This $343,000 cooperative agreement awarded by the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Region 2 to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation will support conservation projects throughout Oklahoma from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2028. The funding is provided through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program (CFDA 15.631), which delivers Department of the Interior priorities by providing assistance to private landowners and tribes for voluntary conservation efforts.

Specifically, the award will support the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's ongoing work restoring and enhancing wetlands, grasslands, and riparian habitat, including on-the-ground projects that will benefit federally-listed species such as the lesser prairie-chicken and American burying beetle. Some projects will also focus on outdoor education and constructing outdoor classrooms. The funding will continue implementation of conservation actions on properties enrolled in the lesser prairie-chicken Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances and priorities identified in the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program's strategic plan.

This cooperative AGREEMENT (AGREEMENT) provides financial backing to ongoing collaborative conservation work between the U.S. Fish and wildlife service (USFWS), ODWC, and voluntary private landowners. The AGREEMENT will support the restoration and enhancement of wetlands, grasslands, and riparian habitat, including on-the-ground projects which will contribute to the recovery of federally-listed and other imperiled species such as the lesser prairie chicken, american burying beetle and monarch butterflies pollinators. Additionally, most projects will result in improved habitat for a variety of game species, with some focused on improving habitat for overwintering waterfowl. Some projects will focus on outdoor education and facilitate the construction of outdoor classrooms . The AGREEMENT will continue to implement projects on properties and monitor landowners who are enrolled in the lesser prairie chicken candidate conservation AGREEMENT with assurances. The AGREEMENT supports conservation actions identified as priorities within the partners for fish and wildlife program S strategic plan.