Federal Grant Award Summary

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) received a Formula Grant award of $895,937.08 under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety Program (CFDA 15.611), administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Region 5. The award, effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027, supports implementation of conservation activities identified in West Virginia's 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan targeting four mammal species of greatest conservation need: Allegheny woodrats, water shrews, northern flying squirrels, and bat species.

Under this grant, the WVDNR will deliver long-term monitoring and population assessment services for bat fauna and Allegheny woodrat populations to track statewide trends, evaluate recovery or decline attributable to white-nose syndrome, and identify conservation opportunities. The grant will also support two discrete treatment interventions to mitigate white-nose syndrome impacts on bat populations while sustaining ongoing bat population monitoring to assess community diversity and evaluate conservation intervention efficacy. Additionally, the WVDNR will conduct taxonomic classification clarification work for water shrews to resolve questions regarding species designation prior to initiating conservation actions. These activities directly support wildlife restoration and habitat conservation objectives under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act.