The Department of the Interior announced on March 1 that it was providing $1.5 million through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife program for 22 projects on private lands in eight priority states under Secretarial Order 3362 “Improving Habitat Quality on Western Big Game Winter Range and Migration Corridors". Projects include the removal or replacement of over 119 miles of fence, invasive species control and management and habitat restoration work impacting over 44,000 acres.

“The important role that private lands play in conservation cannot be overstated,”said Acting Secretary David Bernhardt. “Of course, our public lands play a pivotal role conserving habitat and migration corridors as well, but we must continue to be a good neighbor and all work together. The projects we are funding today will result in invaluable conservation to benefit mule deer, pronghorn, elk and other wildlife.”