The west virginia division of natural resources (DNR) utilizes funding through the wildlife and sport fish restoration programs (wsfr) to conduct fish and wildlife related activities

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WV DNR) will receive $1,069,736 under a Formula Grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Region 5 to manage activities funded through the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety program from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2025.

The WV DNR will utilize the funding to conduct fish and wildlife conservation, restoration, and management activities through its Wildlife Resources Section and Law Enforcement Section. This includes hunter education activities delivered by the Law Enforcement Section. The grant will also support the proper administration of the programs and ensure the WV DNR remains eligible for funding and accountable under the requirements of the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety program, which provides grants to state agencies for projects to restore, conserve, manage, and enhance wild birds and mammals and their habitat through the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act.

These activities are conducted by staff from the wildlife resources section (DNR WRS) and the law enforcement section (DNR LES). The law enforcement section provides hunter education activities. There is a need to ensure proper administration of these programs, as well as provide appropriate information exchange and training amongst agency staff and all partners to comply with grant regulations and policies efficiently and responsibly. The purpose of this grant is to manage activities for the wsfr administered grant program. Execution of this grant will ensure that the DNR remains eligible for funding under the wsfr administered grant program and the DNR is accountable and efficient in meeting federal regulatory requirements. Lastly, execution of this grant will benefit the DNR in accomplishing fish and wildlife conservation, restoration, management, and recreational goals using federal funds.