Wildlife projects get grant funding


November 24, 2012 · Updated 7:57 AM 

Three wildlife projects on Bainbridge Island are receiving grant funds to support their value to the state, and nature.

The state’s Recreation Conservation Office recently set a list of more than 100 priority projects across Washington and Bainbridge made the cut.

Grants from the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program will fund the projects. Its mandate is to protect parks and preserve fish and wildlife habitats, and also save working farms.

On Bainbridge Island, the parks district obtained $500,000 for Rotary Park, and $364,000 for West Gazzam Lake.

The Bainbridge Island Land Trust also received $274,655 to go toward acquiring and protecting riparian habitat on the island.

“The independent ranking system used by the Recreations Conservation Office is unique in its ability to determine which projects best meet the conservation, recreation and community needs in our state,” said Joanna Grist, executive director of the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition. “We must continue to invest in preserving our land and water in order to protect and grow the jobs and businesses that depend on our recreation economy.”

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