Game and Parks receives NET grant for Natural Legacy Project

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will receive $55,000 from the Nebraska Environmental Trust for the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project: New Approaches to Biodiversity Conservation.

This is the first year of the award, with a potential for second- and third-year funding totaling $315,000 and $200,000 respectively.

The Nebraska Natural Legacy Project has applied strategic conservation to restore at-risk species since it was federally approved in 2005. The habitat-based plan identifies at-risk species, threats to those species, conservation actions, and prioritizes Biologically Unique Landscapes (BULs) for conserving Nebraska’s biodiversity. Natural Legacy partners have worked with private landowners to implement conservation projects in nearly two dozen BULs that enhanced over 400,000 acres of at-risk species’ habitat.

The first goal is to continue strategic habitat improvement on at least 100,000 acres. Habitat restoration on private and conservation lands will benefit at-risk species and native common species. Private land projects will be delivered collaboratively with partners and use a voluntary, incentive-based approach. Another goal is to complete a comprehensive revision of the Legacy Project. This process will follow national guidelines, engage over 22 Nebraska stakeholder organizations, and reach hundreds of individuals. The Natural Legacy Project will continue to broaden engagement and enthusiasm for at-risk species conservation, and raise awareness for the needs of Nebraska’s native fish and wildlife.

The project is one of the 117 projects receiving $19,501,444 in grant awards from the Trust this year. Of these, 85 were new applications and 32 are carry-over projects.

The Nebraska Legislature created the Nebraska Environmental Trust in 1992. Using revenue from the Nebraska Lottery, the Trust has provided over $305 million in grants to over 2,200 projects across the state.

Anyone – citizens, organizations, communities, farmers and businesses – can apply for funding to protect habitat, improve water quality and establish recycling programs in Nebraska. The Trust works to preserve, protect and restore our natural resources for future generations.