FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 21, 2001

$50,000 IN OHIO WILDLIFE DIVERSITY GRANTS AWARDED

COLUMBUS, OH - Twenty-two organizations have been awarded a total of $50,000 by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife to encourage citizen projects that further wildlife diversity in the state.

The program is funded through contributions to ODNR's wildlife diversity and endangered species tax checkoff program. Additional funding comes from sales of wildlife conservation license plates featuring the cardinal, Ohio's official state bird.

The grants are designed to help educate Ohioans about the state's rich diversity of wildlife species and promote ODNR's mission to ensure a balance between wise use and protection of Ohio's natural resources.

More than 64 individuals, organizations, and schools applied last fall to receive awards of up to $5,000. Three recipients, the Clear Creek Metro Park and Pickerington Ponds Bat Condominium Project in Franklin County, the Meigs Local Schools Wildlife Education Trail in Meigs County and the Lowe-Volk Park Nature Center Wetland Exhibit in Crawford County, received the maximum amount.

Wildlife diversity grants are designed to encourage citizen participation in the ODNR Division of Wildlife's efforts to promote abundant and varied wildlife species and in educating people about wildlife conservation. From the American burying beetle to the high flying peregrine falcon, the wildlife diversity program works to conserve Ohio's rich diversity of wildlife species and their habitats.

Project proposals are carefully reviewed by wildlife officials and are competitively judged according to how much they benefit Ohio's wildlife and citizens.

-30-

For Further Information Contact:
Kendra Wecker, ODNR Division of Wildlife
(614) 265-6300
-or-
Andy Ware, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6882