Millions raised for habitat restoration in the state
Apr 18, 2024, 7:00 PM
FILE -- Ducks and geese swim in Spring Lake in Payson on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. Millions have been raised to go to habitat restoration.
SALT LAKE CITY — It’s been a record breaking fundraising year for habitat restoration here in Utah.
The Utah Conservation Permit Program raised a record $4.8 million to go towards habitat projects.
Faith Heaton-Jolley with the Division of Wildlife Resources said conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts alike contributed to the habitat restoration funding.
The funding comes from the purchase and auction of special, limited permits.
“[These] permits are basically auctioned off to different conservation and sportsman’s groups, they can auction them at banquets, fundraisers, other events,” Heaton-Jolley said.
Where is the money going?
“All of these different groups are basically committing this funding to go towards these really important projects that help improve habitat and help with wildlife research,” Heaton Jolley said.
She explained that the DWR will specifically allocate the funds to projects like wildfire prevention, mudslide mitigation and planting lots more trees.
In past years, money has gone to projects such as the 2022 Wallsburg WMA Shrub Restoration Project and La Sal Creek Watershed Restoration.
“It’s awesome to see anglers and hunters getting back to wildlife and really putting behind the funding to help with these important projects and research,” she said.
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