Arizona Game and Fish Department

Grants could help Verde River at Clarkdale Arizona project

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[Source: Philip Wright, Verde Independent] – When the Town Council meets at 3 p.m. Tuesday, it will consider a request by staff to go after two grants from the Heritage Fund of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The process would begin with two pre-applications for two lottery funded grants for Urban Wildlife and for Public Access.

A report prepared by Jodie Filardo, director of development and project manager for Sustainable Clarkdale, explains that the state has $112,500 available for Urban Wildlife and $50,000 for Public Access grants. “Our Verde River @ Clarkdale project aligns well with two specific granting focus areas: Urban Wildlife and Public Access,” Filardo stated. Filardo further explains that Melody Reifsnyder of Sage Consulting will put together the grant applications for the town.

“She is being funded on a fee-for-service basis from Walton Family Foundation grant funds established to hire professional services to write two separate pre-applications,” Filardo stated. If the grant applications are approved, Reifsnyder also will complete the full applications process for the town.

In a related matter, Mayor Doug Von Gausig has sponsored an agenda item calling for the council to consider approving Resolution 1376. That resolution would support The Verde Compact, a statement confirming dedication to the well-being of the Verde River and Valley. In a staff report on the item, Kathy Bainbridge, Town Clerk and Finance Director, stated that the Verde Compact “…has been endorsed by The Nature Conservancy and more endorsements have been pledged from other environmental organizations.” John Neville, president of Sustainable Arizona, will make a presentation regarding the Value the Verde Ecotourism Initiative.

 

Game and Fish to host public meetings regarding management of the department’s Horseshoe Ranch property

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The property is located about an hour north of Phoenix within the Agua Fria  National Monument. The acquisition included 200 acres of deeded land coupled with nearly 70,000 acres of grazing allotments, all of which will be under Arizona Game and Fish Department management.

Game and Fish is looking for the public’s feedback and input on various management scenarios for this site that will be presented during these meetings. Each meeting will consist of an information session highlighting the property’s history, the purposes for acquiring the property, and possible development and management scenarios, followed by an open forum session where the public’s feedback and ideas regarding the scenarios will be solicited. 

“We encourage people to attend and provide their thoughts,” said Randy Babb, information and education program manager for the department’sMesaregion. “The input will help us design future management for the ranch and wildlife area.”

Meetings will be held on the following dates:

  • Tuesday, Oct. 4, 6-8 p.m., Phoenix, Arizona Game and Fish Department headquarters, Eagle Room, 5000 W. Carefree Highway.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 5, 6-8 p.m., Black Canyon City, Albin’s Civic Center, 19055 E. K-Mine Road.
  • Thursday, Oct. 6, 6-8 p.m., Mayer/Cordes Junction area,MayerHigh School, Mayer (follow signs to public meeting room).

For more information, contact Randy Babb, information and education program manager for the Game and Fish Mesa region, at (480) 324-3546 or rbabb@azgfd.gov.

Game and Fish’s Heritage grants return in 2011 with new simplified processes

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[Source: AZGFD.gov, 8-11-2011] – Thanks to continued support from Arizona Lottery sales, the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s popular Heritage grants program returns after a one-year hiatus with new, simplified processes. The department undertook and completed a comprehensive revision to the Heritage Fund grants program, including the application, eligibility, scoring, award notification and close-out processes.

“In response to public feedback that we had received over the years, Game and Fish completely revamped the Heritage Fund grants program to make it easier to apply for a grant, and to get more school children, teachers, administrators and parents involved in Heritage-related wildlife activities through Arizona,” says Marty Herrera, the department’s Heritage Fund administrator.

Started in 1990, the Heritage Fund was established by Arizona voters to further conservation efforts in the state, including protecting endangered species, educating our children about wildlife, helping urban residents to better coexist with wildlife, and creating new opportunities for outdoor recreation. Over the years, Game and Fish has awarded more than $12 million in grants to communities across the state. Arizonans can help raise money for the Heritage Fund every year simply by buying Arizona Lottery tickets.

The department will hold informational workshops for interested applicants at the following times and locations:

  • Monday, Aug. 15 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Flagstaff regional Game and Fish office, 3500 S. Lake Mary Road, Flagstaff.
  • Friday, Aug. 19 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pinetop regional Game and Fish office, 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd., Pinetop.
  • Monday, Aug. 22 at Game and Fish’s Phoenix headquarters, 5000 W. Carefree Hwy., Phoenix. (Choice of two sessions: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
  • Wednesday, Aug. 24 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Yuma regional Game and Fish office, 9140 E. 28th St., Yuma.
  • Monday, Aug. 29 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Tucson regional Game and Fish office, 555 N. Greasewood Road, Tucson

Workshops must have a minimum of three preregistered attendees per location to be held. The deadline for applications is Friday, Sept. 30, 2011 at 5 p.m. MST.Potential grant recipients must have a project that is either located in Arizona or involves research in which the wildlife or its habitat is located in Arizona.  To R.S.V.P. for a workshop, call Heritage Grants Coordinator Robyn Beck at (623) 236-7530. More information on the grants and application forms can be found at www.azgfd.gov/heritage.

Learn bird viewing skills at migratory bird workshop

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[Source: WMIcentral.com] – The Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering a unique opportunity for people to learn more about the fascinating variety of birds found in the White Mountains area. On Friday evening, May 20, wildlife biologists will conduct a birding natural history program in conjunction with International Migratory Bird Day that is free and open to the public at the department’s Pinetop regional office. The two-hour classroom program begins at6 p.m., and will be followed by a hands-on, field application session the next morning starting at7 a.m.

“This is a great opportunity for people to develop an appreciation for migratory birds that are found here seasonally, as well as learn bird identification skills using your senses of sight and sound,” says Dan Groebner, nongame biologist.

International Migratory Bird Day was created by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology in 1993 as a way to focus attention on one of the most important and spectacular events in the life of a migratory bird – its journey between its summer and winter homes. Participants will be able to hear recorded calls, learn about birding websites, software and field guides, and learn how to get involved in department or other local birding programs. They will also be able to view dozens of bird mounts up close and learn distinguishing characteristics.

“There will be a birding hike around the office property Saturday morning with several hands-on activities to enhance learning,” says Groebner. “It’s a good idea to bring binoculars.” Funding for this special educational program is made available through the Game and Fish Heritage Fund, which comes from lottery ticket sales and is used for conservation purposes, including educating our children about wildlife, protecting endangered species and creating more opportunities for outdoor recreation. For more information, contact Dan Groebner at the Pinetop Game and Fish office at (928) 367-4281.