The project purpose is to support ecologically sound science based wildlife conservation and management decisions

The Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Region 5 awarded $692,279 to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection on January 1, 2026, under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety program (CFDA 15.611), a formula grant funded by excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment.

The recipient will conduct data collection, research, and monitoring on the health, abundance, distribution, and harvest of wild birds and small mammals in Connecticut. Activities support ecologically sound, science-based wildlife conservation and management decisions intended to maintain healthy and sustainable populations of wild birds and small mammal resources within biological and cultural limits, advancing the bureau's conservation mission for public benefit.

The award covers the period January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2030, with all work performed in Connecticut. The Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act funds wildlife restoration, conservation, management, and habitat enhancement projects delivered by state fish and wildlife agencies that have passed assent legislation requiring hunting and fishing license revenues be used solely for fish and wildlife agency administration.

Activities to be performed include data collection research and monitoring on the health abundance distribution and harvest of wild birds and small mammals in connecticut. Expected outcomes include maintaining healthy and sustainable populations of wild birds and small mammal resources within biological and cultural limits which supports the bureau of natural resources mission of conservation. Intended beneficiaries are the public who use and appreciate these natural resources.