Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee

The Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee (TWRA) is a state government entity responsible for managing Tennessee's fish, wildlife, and natural resources. Registered in SAM.gov since 1999, the agency operates under the state government structure and has been actively receiving federal grant awards, primarily from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service. TWRA's mission focuses on conservation, wildlife management, habitat preservation, and supporting outdoor recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, and wildlife education across Tennessee.

Through its federal grant awards, TWRA has undertaken a diverse range of conservation and wildlife management projects. The agency has received numerous Formula and Project Grants from agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Coast Guard, and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Key grant activities include invasive carp management in Tennessee and Cumberland River systems, endangered species recovery efforts for species like salamanders and mussels, wildlife habitat restoration, bat population monitoring, white-nose syndrome research, and chronic wasting disease surveillance. The agency has also developed shooting ranges, hunter education programs, and conducted extensive wildlife population studies. TWRA frequently collaborates with partners such as The Nature Conservancy, Nashville Zoo, Tennessee Technological University, and Wildlife Management Institute to implement these projects. Major grant programs include the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration program, State Wildlife Grants, and the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund, with funding typically supporting research, habitat management, species monitoring, and public education initiatives.