Special Report Commemorating State Wildlife Grants 10th Anniversary Is Complete

NASHVILLE --- A special report celebrating the 10th Anniversary of State Wildlife Grants (SWG) program in Tennessee has been completed. The SWG (pronounced “Swig”) is a program created in 2000 to provide critical funding in support of fish and wildlife species that are rare or declining.

 

The full report can be viewed by clicking here.

 

"The State Wildlife Grants program is the first significant funding that the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has received to manage and conserve non-game fish and wildlife in our state,” said Greg Wathen, Chief of TWRA’s Wildlife Division. “The SWG program has enabled our agency to better fulfill our mission of conserving all of Tennessee’s fish and wildlife resources.”

 

One of the country’s newer traditions is that of “keeping common species common.” This philosophy recognizes the need to preserve wildlife for future generations while acting in a cost-effective way to create and conserve their habitats. Tennessee has the greatest diversity of wildlife of any inland state in the nation.

 

SWG provides critical funding in support of fish and wildlife that are rare and on the decline. Since the program began, the TWRA has been allocated more than $10 million which has been used to enhance TWRA’s nongame wildlife conservation programs across the state. Many of the projects funded with these funds have provided important habitat for all wildlife.

 

“The State Wildlife Grants Program is an intensively planned vision for all Tennesseans,” said Ed Carter, TWRA Executive Director. “It helps TWRA and partners ensure Tennessee’s rich diversity of fish and wildlife will be protected and conserved, not only for today, but more importantly for those generations of Tennesseans that will follow us.”

 

To participate in the SWG program, each state wildlife agency was required to develop a State Wildlife Action Plan. Tennessee’s plan has been recognized as one of the best plans in the nation due in large part to the partnership that TWRA formed with The Nature Conservancy to complete Tennessee’s plan.

 

Tennessee’s coalition supporting the State Wildlife Grants program includes more than 100 organizations, which are a part of the 6,500-plus members of the National Teaming and Wildlife Coalition. These partners include the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, World Wildlife Fund, and special assistance from the American Eagle Foundation and its ambassador, a bald eagle named “Challenger.” Challenger, who has appeared at many events on the national stage, including this season’s National Football League game between the Titans and Colts, has made several trips to Washington D.C. over the years, truly “flying in” to promote State Wildlife Grants to Congress.

 

Wathen provided information on the SWG to members of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission at its December meeting in recognition of the 10 year anniversary. Scott Davis, Executive Director of The Tennessee Nature Conservancy (TNC), spoke of the benefits the partnership had garnered and outlined the role that TNC had played.

 

Al Cecere, Founder and President of the American Eagle Foundation, along with several staff members, brought a variety of birds who have gone through rehab provided by the Foundation. Challenger was among the guests present.

 

---TWRA---