FWC Invites Public To Apply For Funding To Reduce Bear Conflicts

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Bear in Neighborhood

Volusia County, FL-The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has $825,000 in bear-conflict reduction funding and they are asking counties, other local governments, and even private organizations to help spend it.

The funding comes from a Florida legislature allocation of $500,000 and $325,000 from the "Conserve Wildlife" license plate.

Sarah Barrett,  Biological Scientist with the Bear Management Program, said the main purpose of the funding is for the purchase of bear-resistant trash receptacles but the FWC is open to suggestions for other ways to use the funds.

Grant applications are being accepted through October 14. Some of the criteria include how many households would be impacted, whether or not the applicant has access to matching funds and whether or not businesses would be impacted.

Sixty percent of the $500,000 from the Legislature must go to local governments which have passed ordinances to reduce human-bear conflicts.

For the application and more information, visit MyFWC.com/bear.

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