State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program (SWG)

State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program (SWG) is sponsored by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF). This program provides federal funding to states for the conservation of nongame species and their habitat. The goal is to prevent these species from being listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

State & Tribal Wildlife Grants Program :: Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies State & Tribal Wildlife Grants Program State AND Tribal Wildlife Grants Program Proactive Conservation to Prevent and Recover Endangered Species About State & Tribal Wildlife Grants In 2000, Congress created the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program to help state, territorial, and tribal fish and wildlife agencies proactively conserve the nation’s rare and declining fish and wildlife before they require protection under the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973.

The program was established in recognition that voluntary, science-based conservation is most effective—and most cost-efficient—when implemented early, before species become critically imperiled. Since its inception, more than $1.

7 billion has been invested through the program to support on-the-ground conservation, scientific research, habitat restoration, monitoring, planning, and collaborative conservation partnerships across the United States and its territories. The program also led to the development and implementation of comprehensive State Wildlife Action Plans in every state and territory.

These plans serve as the nation’s blueprints for proactive fish and wildlife conservation by identifying Species of Greatest Conservation Need, key habitats, major threats, and the conservation actions needed to address them.

The State & Tribal Wildlife Grants Program has helped conserve thousands of at-risk species and habitats, contributed to preventing the need to list some species under the Endangered Species Act, and supported recovery efforts for species already listed.

By investing in collaborative, voluntary conservation today, the program helps reduce future regulatory conflicts and costs while supporting healthy ecosystems, outdoor recreation, and local economies. Funding is apportioned to state fish and wildlife agencies using a formula based two-thirds on population and one-third on land area, with no state receiving more than 5 percent or less than 1 percent of the annual state apportionment.

Separate allocation formulas are used for U.S. territories. In addition to formula funding, the program provides competitive grants to states, tribes, and their partners to address regional and national conservation priorities. The program is administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Conservation Investment within the United States Department of the Interior.

NEW State Wildlife Grants Apportionments FY2026 State & Tribal Wildlife Grants Apportionments Fact Sheet FY27 STWG Senate Dear Colleague Letter FY27 STWG House Dear Colleague Letter STWG Dear Colleague Letter Signers (FY03-26) FY26 STWG Senate Dear Colleague Letter FY 26 STWG House Dear Colleague Letter FY25 STWG Senate Dear Colleague Letter FY25 STWG House Dear Colleague Letter FY24 STWG Senate Dear Colleague Letter FY24 STWG House Dear Colleague Letter FY23 STWG House Dear Colleague Letter FY22 STWG Senate Dear Colleague Letter FY22 STWG House Dear Colleague Letter FY 21 STWG Senate Dear Colleague Letter FY21 STWG House Dear Colleague Letter FY20 STWG Dear Colleague Signers by State Director, Conservation Initiatives mhumpert@fishwildlife.

org State & Tribal Wildlife Grants Key Messages (2026) State & Tribal Wildlife Grants 20th Anniversary Report State & Tribal Wildlife Grants 10th Anniversary Report State Wildlife Action Plans Fact Sheet State Wildlife Grants Effectiveness Measures Framework US Fish and Wildlife Service-Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program National Wildlife Federation Magazine Article These areas are Legacy their content needs to be relocated or removed, these areas will be remove when the new site is launched.