The west virginia division of natural resources, wildlife resources section is responsible for the management and conservation of the state s wildlife resources and for providing wildlife-associated…

The U.S. Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service Region 5 awarded the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources a formula grant of $5,283,672 under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety program (CFDA 15.611), effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. This grant funds comprehensive wildlife management and conservation activities across West Virginia, including habitat restoration and enhancement on the state's wildlife management areas and state forests, wildlife population monitoring and management on both public and private lands, and district-wide wildlife operations. The award supports a seven-objective program designed to benefit hunters, trappers, and wildlife-associated recreationists through improved wildlife habitat and resource management.

The funded activities deliver essential wildlife conservation and recreational services to the public, including the operation and maintenance of public fishing access sites, stocking of approximately one million trout and 500,000 warmwater fish annually, hunter and boating safety education programs, and specialized conservation initiatives such as elk reintroduction monitoring, invasive species control, and threatened and endangered species recovery efforts. Through these activities, the grant advances the core mission of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to conserve and manage wild birds and mammals while promoting responsible hunting practices and outdoor recreation access across the state.

The west virginia division of natural resources, wildlife resources section is responsible for the management and conservation of the state s wildlife resources and for providing wildlife-associated recreation. To achieve this goal the wildlife resources section conducts management activities on the state s wildlife management areas system and state forests, as well as directing district-wide wildlife operations including the management of wildliferesources on private lands. This grant is comprised of seven objectives and numerous activities which when implemented create, enhance, promote and support a varied natural resources program that benefits hunters, trappers, and wildlife-associatedrecreationist as well as the interested public.