This grant serves to secure the core mission of the cnmi division of fish and wildlife s wildlife section, which will be managing 13 wildlife restoration projects in FY 2025

This $462,078 federal Formula Grant award from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service Region 1 under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education program (CFDA 15.611) serves to secure the core mission of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Division of Fish and Wildlife's Wildlife Section. The grant will fund 13 wildlife restoration projects in fiscal year 2025, including ensuring the completion of grant objectives, timely reporting, maintaining staffing capacity, and preparing the agency to respond to wildlife needs in the event of natural disasters or biological invasions. Funding will also provide physical and logistical support, such as vehicles and equipment, to enable the daily operation of these wildlife conservation projects. Additionally, the grant supports the Wildlife Section's public outreach efforts to inform the community about ongoing projects and provide technical guidance to minimize impacts to wildlife and habitats from proposed development.

Management activities include ensuring the completion of grant objectives, the punctual submission of reports and proposals, the maintenance of staffing capacity through recruitment and training, and preparing the office to respond to wildlife needs in the event of a natural disaster or biological invasion. Physical and logistical support, including vehicles and equipment, is provided so that all projects continue to run daily. Additionally, the wildlife section interfaces with the public in two important ways: 1) performing outreach to keep the public informed of ongoing projects and their benefit to the cnmi, and 2) providing technical guidance and environmental reviews to avoid or minimize impacts to wildlife and habitats from proposed development, plans, and projects.