The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks will receive a portion of the more than $66.7 million in matching grants to be distributed across 16 states that will support private land acquisition and planning projects. The funds originate from the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund.

KDWP Secretary Brad Loveless said this grant funding makes it possible for KDWP to conserve nearly 1,600 acres of critical wetland habitat for at-risk species on non-federal lands. Loveless went on to say that this would pave the way for future efforts to conserve critical habitat across the state.

Of the more than 4.3 million slated for the Sunflower State, just under $4 million is dedicated to the acquisition of wetland habitat for conservation in support of Whooping Cranes and Eastern Black Rails, and more than $300,000 is set aside to support Kansas’ Aquatic Safe Harbor Agreement.