Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Now Accepting Proposals for Chickadee Checkoff Small Grants Program
For Immediate Release:
February 19, 2025
Contact:
Laura Rose Clawson, Chief of Public Affairs
laura.roseclawson@ks.gov
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Now Accepting Proposals for Chickadee Checkoff Small Grants Program
PRATT — The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is now accepting proposals for the Chickadee Checkoff Small Grants Program through March 21, 2025. This initiative supports projects that enhance wildlife diversity and focus on native non-game wildlife species, while aligning with the issues and strategies identified in the Kansas State Wildlife Action Plan.
The Chickadee Checkoff is funded by voluntary contributions from Kansas residents when they file their state income tax returns. Launched in 1980, the Chickadee Checkoff supports all Kansas non-game species through habitat improvement, educational programming in schools, eco-meets, and materials like pocket guides and books.
A portion of these funds are also used for the annual Chickadee Checkoff Small Grants Program, which provides up to $10,000 to researchers, educators, naturalists, and more to leverage the talents and expertise of conservation partners. Projects supported by this program have resulted in numerous scientific publications, educational materials, and new insights into native non-game wildlife species and their habitats. Last year’s grant awardees included Emporia High School and Emporia State University to collaboratively create an outdoor classroom space for students to learn about native aquatic plants and animals in Emporia and to the Sedgwick County Zoo for the development of environmental education programs.
Funding priorities for 2025 include projects that address these conservation issues:
- Lack of nature-based and outdoor education opportunities,
- Habitat that is being altered in ways that are detrimental to species' needs, and
- Incomplete data on species populations, occurrence, and distribution for Kansas threatened or endangered species or species in greatest conservation need.
Proposals must be submitted by March 21, 2025. For more information about the Chickadee Checkoff Small Grants program, including eligibility requirements, please visit ksoutdoors.com/chickadeegrants.
To contribute to the Chickadee Checkoff, simply mark the appropriate box on your Kansas state income tax return and specify your donation amount. You can also donate to the Chickadee Checkoff online at chickadeecheckoff.com. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference.
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The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is dedicated to the conservation and enhancement of Kansas’s natural resources for the benefit of both current and future generations. KDWP manages 29 state parks, 177 lakes and wildlife areas, more than 300 public waterbodies, and 5 nature centers. Other services include management of threatened, endangered, and at-risk species, law enforcement, and wildlife habitat programs. For more information about KDWP, visit ksoutdoors.com.
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