PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), partnering with Arizona’s wildlife conservation organizations, put a combined total of $24.2 million into on-the-ground projects for terrestrial and aquatic wildlife conservation in 2023.
Equally impressive to the dollar amount was the teamwork it took to make these projects happen: 151 conservation partners helped complete 867 distinct efforts. See the summary list of projects, funding amounts and partners.
“It’s a great achievement, but we couldn’t have done it without all of our partners,” said Dan Sturla, AZGFD’s Landowner Relations & Habitat Enhancement program manager. “It’s all hands on deck to get that amount of money on the ground.”
Although project selection focused on those involving game species and projects that improved hunting and fishing opportunities throughout the state, many non-game species will benefit from this work as well.
“For example,” said Kyle Dutro, AZGFD habitat enhancement coordinator, “projects that involve removing encroaching woody vegetation from historic grasslands can benefit everything from pronghorn and elk to prairie dogs, ferrets, and other grassland obligate species.”
The summary list is Arizona-specific. While federal partners make significant contributions to the state’s wildlife, this list highlights what was done by AZGFD and its in-state, non-governmental partners.
“Although some of our efforts may include federal funding,” said Sturla, “we wanted to focus this list on efforts led by non-federal partners.”
A record-breaking year of investment in Arizona’s wildlife is exciting on its own and it’s also helping build momentum for the future.
“As soon as good things are done for wildlife, it grows and we bring in more and more partners,” said Jake Jaeger, AZGFD Landowner Relations program coordinator. “It wouldn’t surprise me if next year it’s even bigger.”
A few highlights of the conservation work benefitting Arizona and its wildlife:
Aquatic Projects
- Almost $2 million dollars for fish stockings, including 51 Community Fishing Program lakes across the state; walleye, crappie and largemouth bass stockings in Region 6; five Colorado river rainbow trout stockings; youth events; and more.
- Over $1.5 million for the operation and maintenance of fish hatcheries, enabling over 600 stockings of sport fish at 100 locations across Arizona.
- $124,000 for aquatic habitat enhancement, including 241 structures placed at Alamo Lake; fish habitat structures installed in Show Low Lake; as well as structures installed in three reservoirs.
Terrestrial Projects
- Over $14 million for habitat enhancement and restoration, including 15,000 acres of grassland, browse, and forest restoration efforts to improve forage and habitat for a variety of wildlife; the removal of 44 acres of invasive tamarisk near I-85; restoration of Tacna Marsh; migratory bird crop planting; and increased public recreational access.
- $2.6 million in wildlife water building and repair, including a rain tank rebuild in Kaibab National Forest; constructing a wildlife water at Whitewater Draw; and redeveloping, constructing and performing major maintenance of wildlife waters statewide.
- $725,000 for big game population surveys.
- Over $200,000 in special projects, including monitoring deer and sheep for Gonzales pass crossing and translocating turkeys from Region 1 to Region 6.
