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5 

 the program's implementation through funding high priority and 

 visible conservation projects. They have made state fish and 

 wildlife agency projects an especially high priority in this effort 

 in hopes of realizing their goals of making a difference on-the- 

 ground. Through "Partners in Flight" they have created an 

 unparalleled nationwide conservation program; all 50 state fish and 

 wildlife agencies are involved. Their matching grants program has 

 allowed some of these states the opportunity to augment or develop 

 conservation actions to halt the decline of over 250 species. 



The Foundation also will play a significant role in the newly 

 enacted Partnerships for Wildlife Act assisting state agencies with 

 obtaining matching grants for conservation projects related to fish 

 and wildlife not hunted or fished or on the endangered species 

 list. There are over 1,800 species these grants will aid, and many 

 of them neglected for years due to limited state and federal funds. 



It must be pointed out that these examples are only a few of 

 the conservation efforts of the Foundation. The Foundation is also 

 active in fisheries, leadership training and wildlife and habitat 

 conservation throughout the U.S. All of this, I believe, clearly 

 points out that the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is not 

 only effective, but innovative, aggressive and well worth the 

 money. Simply put, it is a shining example of a federal program 

 that works. 



