Sportsmen enlisted to help improve wildlife habitat

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(Host) Vermont sportsmen have been enlisted to help maintain the state’s wildlife management areas.

 

As VPR’s Ross Sneyd reports, the goal is to improve wildlife habitat – and burnish hunters’ images.

 

 

(Sneyd) Members of the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs plan to maintain trails, fix signs and do other work in the wildlife areas.

 

A formal agreement with the Department of Fish and Wildlife spells out what their role will be.

 

Roy Marble of Morristown is president of the federation.

 

He says the federal government often gives states money to improve wildlife management areas. But to qualify, the state has to put up some cash itself. And Vermont too often can’t afford the investment.

 

Marble says the sportsmen’s donated labor will now qualify.

 

(1005Marble1) So if we provide a dollar’s worth of effort, the Fish and Wildlife Department can qualify for $3 of these funds.

 

(Sneyd) There’s a benefit to the sportsmen, too.

 

They’ll help improve habitat for the wildlife that they like to hunt.

 

And, Marble says, it might improve sportsmen’s standing in the eyes of non-hunters.

 

For VPR News, I’m Ross Sneyd.

 

 

(Host Outro) The agreement will be signed tomorrow at Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area in Addison.

 

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