Tucson, AZ–The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service allocated funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for conservation projects on privately owned lands in Arizona. The funding will be used for projects aimed at the improvement of ecosystems and wildlife habitats and the removal of invasive species.

Total Recovery Act funding for the projects is $155,000, plus $55,000 in cooperative funds provided by project partners.

“The protection and restoration of ecosystems in Arizona is critical to conservation efforts,” said Congressman Grijalva. “The funds will be used to restore damaged ecosystems of high priority, protecting endangered species. These projects are also beneficial to Arizona because they will result in the creation of a large number of local jobs.”

Both the destruction of ecosystems and the introduction of invasive species threaten native plant and animal diversity. Funding for these projects is estimated to be able to restore up to 450 acres of private land and treat 500 acres of land infested with invasive plants, benefiting local communities by protecting threatened and endangered species and improving water quality.

For a full list of projects funded nationwide, visit the Department’s Recovery Web Site at http://recovery.doi.gov.