2014 Arizona Game and Fish Heritage Fund grants now open

PHOENIX -- Whether you won or lost when you bought a lottery ticket last year, some of your money is going to benefit something you would approve of -- helping Arizona's schools and universities.

That's because the bulk of this year's grants from the Arizona Game and Fish Department Heritage Fund is going to education and research. Heritage Fund money comes from Arizona Lottery ticket sales. This year, Game and Fish is using Heritage funds to award more than $335,000 to 32 grant projects across Arizona. When combined with matching money from other sources, the projects being funded total nearly $1 million invested in Arizona.

"By simply buying Arizona Lottery tickets, Arizonans can help schools continue to offer exciting outdoor-related opportunities that can keep kids connected to nature despite the reduced budgets of local schools," says Robyn Beck, the department's Heritage grant coordinator.

Arizona voters created the Heritage Fund back in 1990. The money from lottery ticket sales goes to conservation efforts like protecting endangered species, educating our children about wildlife, helping urban residents to better coexist with wildlife, and creating new opportunities for outdoor recreation. Over the years, Game and Fish has awarded a total of more than $14 million in grants to communities across the state.

The application period for the 2014 grant cycle is now open.

To learn more about Heritage grants and how to apply for the more than $400,000 available, attend one of the department's workshops being held at the following times and locations:

Wednesday, July 31 at the Phoenix Game and Fish office, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix. (Choice of two sessions from 1 to 3 p.m. or from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.)
Thursday, Aug. 1 at the Flagstaff regional Game and Fish office, 3500 S. Lake Mary Road, Flagstaff. (Choice of two sessions from 1 to 3 p.m. or from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.)
Monday, Aug. 5 at the Yuma regional Game and Fish office, 9140 E. 28th St., Yuma. (Afternoon session only from 1 to 3 p.m.)
Tuesday, Aug. 6 at the Pinetop regional Game and Fish office, 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd., Pinetop. (Choice of two sessions from 2 to 4 p.m. or from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.)
Thursday, Aug. 8 at the Tucson regional Game and Fish office, 555 N. Greasewood Road, Tucson. (Choice of two sessions from 1 to 3 p.m. or from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.)
Thursday, Aug. 15 at the Kingman regional Game and Fish office, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road, Kingman. (Choice of two sessions from 2 to 4 p.m. or from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.)

Those planning to attend the workshops, and those wanting to learn more about eligibility for the grant money, should R.S.V.P. to Robyn Beck at (623) 236-7530. A minimum of three people must sign up for each workshop or the session will be cancelled 48 hours prior to the date. The application deadline is Sept. 30, 2013 at 5 p.m. MST.

Potential grant recipients must have a project that is either located in Arizona or involves research in which the wildlife or its habitat is located in Arizona. More information on the grants and current application materials can be found at the department's website at www.azgfd.gov/heritage.