Thirteen wildlife conservation projects are approved for funding under the Habitat Conservation Fund, Natural Resources Minister Richard Hurlburt announced June 22. The money for the fund is generated through the required purchase of a $2 wildlife habitat stamp on all hunting licenses in Nova Scotia.

"Non-government organizations and individuals can receive financial support for work they are carrying out to sustain our wildlife and wildlife habitat," said Mr. Hurlburt. "All of the funds collected are used directly for habitat conservation."

The total amount of funding approved for projects in 2004 is $114,645. The program was initiated in 2001 and almost half a million dollars has been directed to wildlife conservation. The project applications are reviewed and recommendations made by an independent board of directors consisting of members from hunting, naturalist and academic associations.

"The hunting community supports the fund and the conservation work that is carried out," said Tony Rodgers, executive director of the Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters. "These projects benefit our wildlife species through on-the-ground work, research and education related to their habitat."

The primary goal of the fund is to assist with projects that protect and enhance wildlife habitats. They may be funded up to 75 per cent or $25,000 on a cost-shared basis. The projects must fall into one of four categories: purchase of land for the benefit of wildlife, habitat improvement, wildlife habitat research and related education programs.

Successful recipients of funding for 2004 and their projects are:
-- Making Nova Scotia's lakes loon friendly (Year 4), Bird Studies Canada
-- Benefits and Risks of Agro-ecosystem Management to Grassland Birds in Nova Scotia (Year 3), Joseph Nocera
-- Coastlines Natural History Column (Year 3), Ecology Action Centre
-- Distribution and Behaviour of Bats in Nova Scotia (Year 2), Hugh Broders
-- Small Marsh Restoration in the Agricultural/Urban Landscape, Ducks Unlimited Canada
-- Adopt-a-wetland Education Program, Ducks Unlimited Canada
-- King's County Riparian Fencing Project, Friends of the Cornwallis River
-- Microhabitat Selection of Northern and Southern Flying Squirrels in Nova Scotia, Amanda Lavers
-- Conservation of Critical Lakeshore Habitat in the Tusket River Watershed, Sara Good-Avila
-- Mercury in River Otter, Sarah Spencer
-- An Examination of the Ecological Effects of Porcupine Feeding on Acadian forests, Joseph Mudge
-- Securement and Stewardship of the Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora in Southwest Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Nature Trust
-- Conserving Critical Wood Turtle Habitats Through Community Stewardship, St. Mary's River Association.

Applications for 2005 can be submitted to the Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division between Dec. 1, 2004 and Jan. 31, 2005. Submission guidelines and application forms can be obtained from any Department of Natural Resources office or on the website at www.gov.ns.ca/natr/wildlife/habfund. Information on the 2004 and past projects is also available on the department website.