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even more use next year." <br />Said Jim Douglas, Wildlife Division administrator for the Nebraska Game and Parks <br />Commission. "This project is an outstanding example of how federal, state and private <br />dollars can be leveraged to complete a project of this magnitude. We used federal funding <br />from Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act, Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, <br />and Private Stewardship Grants Program, state funds through the State Wildlife Grants <br />Program and private funds from the National Audubon Society, Nebraska Environmental <br />Trust and Pine Tree Conservation Society. The Nature Conservancy and Platte River <br />Whooping Crane Trust also contributed to the project." <br />Congress created the State Wildlife Grants program in 2001 with the support of the <br />5,500-member Teaming With Wildlife coalition that is advocating for dedicated wildlife <br />funding. State Wildlife Grants are one of the principal funding sources for the Nebraska <br />Natural Legacy Plan. The plan serves as a model for collaboration between conservation <br />groups, agricultural organizations and private citizens. <br />"When Congress created programs like the State Wildlife Grants Program, it was our <br />intent that these funds be used to leverage state and private funds to broaden their <br />impact," said Sen. Ben Nelson a supporter of wildlife conservation funding. "This project <br />exceeds those expectations and has measurable results, something that taxpayers <br />appreciate." <br />The restored site serves as a memorial and is named for John Dinan (brother of Kenny <br />Dinan), .the former Commission Nongame Bird Program Manager who succumbed to <br />cancer in 2005. Observations during his 25-year career working with threatened and <br />endangered birds provided insight into the design of nesting islands on the Platte River. <br />The site was dedicated in Apri12007 as the John J. Dinan Memorial Bird Conservation <br />Area. <br />Visit the Commission's Web site at www.0utdoorNebraska.org. <br />POSTED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES AT 1110112007 04:36:00 PM