City of East Ridge gets $1,000 grant from TWRA

East Ridge, TN (WDEF) –  The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency awarded East Ridge a $1,000 grant to assist with stream clean-up projects for the fiscal year 2015-16.  The money will be used to help clean up Spring Creek in East Ridge.

Five grants, at $1,000 each, were available for TWRA’s four regional Aquatic Habitat Protection projects (a total of $5,000 per region). The projects are to be completed, the money spent, and a report submitted by June 30, 2016.

The grant money can be used to buy supplies, such as rakes, work gloves, and garbage bags. In addition, the funds could be used to pay disposal fees for solid waste and tire removal or to provide promotional items such as project advertisement or T‑shirts and refreshments for volunteer support.

PLAN AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC REVIEW

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has released the draft 2015 Tennessee State Wildlife Action Plan (2015 TN SWAP) and is seeking public input. This feedback will help shape the final 2015 TN SWAP, which will be completed by October 2015.

The draft 2015 TN SWAP is available online at the newly-launched Tennessee State Wildlife Action Plan website www.tnswap.com. Written comments on the 2015 TN SWAP can be submitted through the website via the following link www.tnswap.com/comments. The comment period is open from Aug. 10 through Sept. 4, 2015.

The 2015 TN SWAP is a comprehensive, statewide plan for conserving Tennessee’s fish and wildlife and their vital natural habitats for future generations. It is part of a nationwide effort by all 50 states and five U.S. territories to develop conservation action plans and participate in the federally authorized State and Tribal Wildlife Grants (SWG) Program.

More than 125 technical experts and conservation partners from 56 different agencies, organizations and academic institutions have contributed to the development of the 2015 SWAP. TWRA invites all interested parties to submit written feedback during this public review period and to join the agency as a partner in conservation efforts across the state.

To learn more about the 2015 TN SWAP, Tennessee’s conservation goals and the measures necessary to recover endangered species, restore unique habitats, keep rare and imperiled species off the endangered species list, and to keep common species common, visit the Tennessee State Wildlife Action Plan site or contact Bill Reeves, Chief of Biodiversity at 615-781-6645 or bill.reeves@tn.gov.