Applications open for upland game bird habitat funds

OLYMPIA-The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is accepting applications through March 13 for funds for upland game bird habitat enhancement projects in central Washington.

The funding comes from the Dave Wallace Account for Upland Game Bird Habitat Enhancement, dedicated to upland game bird habitat projects on public and private property in Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Grant and Adams counties. The account was established in memory of a long-time upland game bird hunter and advocate from Ephrata.

Groups, agencies or individuals are eligible for funding. Applicants may obtain a Wallace Grant Application Packet at WDFW's Ephrata regional office, 1550 Alder St., Ephrata, Wash., 98823-9699, or by calling (509) 754-4624, or at WDFW's Wenatchee district office, 3860 Chelan Highway N., Wenatchee, Wash., 98801-9607, or by calling (509) 662-0452. Completed grant applications will be accepted at those offices through March 13.

Only projects that provide habitat benefits to chukar and gray partridge, pheasant and quail will be considered for funding. Project requests should not exceed $3,000 and should be for habitat development and enhancement. Requests for winter bird feed or game bird rearing for release do not qualify for funding. Eight to 10 projects are funded each year. Projects funded in the past include spring development, fencing, vegetation planting and construction of upland game bird feeders.