Federal agency to give Nevada $180,000 for wildlife protection

The federal government is giving Nevada $180,000 to set up a system to protect at-risk wildlife species on private lands.

Gov. Kenny Guinn said Monday the funding, through the Land Owner Incentive Program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, will help protect the greater sage grouse and species including the Southwestern willow flycatcher, relict leopard frog, yellow-billed cuckoos, spotted bat and Amargosa toad.

The state will contribute another $60,000 under the grant program, bringing to $240,000 the amount the Nevada Division of Wildlife can use to develop partnerships with private landowners.

The goal is to protect, restore and enhance habitat for species identified as endangered, threatened, protected, sensitive or at risk by the state or federal governments, Guinn said.

The Nevada Division of Wildlife has applied for another $1.56 million in federal funding to provide incentives to private landowners to support habitat improvement for sensitive species.

The state would be expected to put up about another $520,000 to receive that grant.