Species Protection Account will fund 30 conservation projects across the state

In a strong show of support for wildlife conservation, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources announced the allocation of $4 million to fund 30 projects aimed at protecting and restoring native species in 2025. The funding was approved during the annual Utah Species Protection Account meeting held on April 24.

Established in 1997, the Utah Species Protection Account–formerly known as the Endangered Species Mitigation Fund–was created to proactively manage and conserve species at risk of being listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. By supporting species before they reach crisis levels, the state aims to maintain local management and reduce the need for federal intervention and associated economic restrictions.

“Proactive conservation helps keep Utah’s native species healthy,” said Paul Thompson, assistant habitat section chief at the DWR. “Healthy populations don’t need protection under the Endangered Species Act, which in turn keeps management decisions at the state level.”

The $4 million allocated this year will support a wide range of projects, including recovery efforts for species currently listed under the ESA. Nearly half of the funds will go toward supporting species like the Utah prairie dog, June sucker, Mojave desert tortoise, and several native fish species including the Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker.

In addition, three “community science” projects were approved to involve the public in conservation efforts. These include the Utah Herp Search, the Western Toad Project, and the Utah Pollinator Pursuit, which invite residents to help gather critical data on amphibians, reptiles, bumblebees, and monarch butterflies. The goal is to better understand the distribution of these species across the state, helping biologists target conservation efforts more effectively.

Several other projects will focus on lesser-known species like boreal toads, Mexican spotted owls, roundtail chubs, pygmy rabbits, and pinyon jays. Habitat restoration and research for native birds, plants, and pollinators are also included in this year’s funding.

While the 2025 allocation is slightly lower than in past years, additional funding support is on the horizon. During the recent legislative session, Utah lawmakers approved a new tax on certain energy development projects. Revenue from that tax will be directed into the Species Protection Account to continue supporting conservation efforts into the future.

“Conservation funding for species that are not hunted or fished is hard to come by,” Thompson added. “Those of us in Utah working to better understand and maintain healthy populations for our lesser-known species are fortunate that our state legislature understands the value of funding the preservation of Utah’s biodiversity.”

The projects were selected and approved by the Species Protection Account Advisory Committee, a seven-member panel representing diverse stakeholders, including wildlife biologists, environmental groups, and landowners.

Since its inception, the Species Protection Account has completed more than 680 conservation projects and invested over $89 million into preserving Utah’s native species. This work has contributed to two full delistings and three downlistings of species under the ESA and has helped prevent more than 20 other species from being listed.

This funding comes in addition to the record $6.6 million in conservation permit funds recently allocated through Utah’s Watershed Restoration Initiative. That program, administered by the Utah Department of Natural Resources, supports habitat improvement efforts statewide.

To learn more about the Species Protection Account and how Utah is leading the way in proactive conservation, visit https://wildlife.utah.gov or listen to the DWR Wild podcast.