New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Denise Sheehan Tuesday announced that the agency is again requesting proposals for grants that will fund projects aimed at improving fish and wildlife habitat and public access for hunting, fishing, trapping and other fish and wildlife related recreation and study.

"DEC is committed to protecting New York's unique habitats and enhancing outdoor recreational activities for all ages," Commissioner Sheehan said. "This grant program, funded with the help of the State's most dedicated environmental stewards, will ensure continued protection of our sensitive ecosystems and essential wildlife habitat while further enriching outdoor experiences for sportsmen and women across the Empire State."

A total of $100,000 is available to exclusively fund fish and wildlife habitat management and the improvement of public access for hunting, fishing, trapping and other fish and wildlife- related recreation and study. The grants will allow municipalities, not-for-profit corporations and individuals sponsored by these organizations to carry out small scale projects that will benefit the fish and wildlife resources and sportsmen and women of New York State.

The funds are from the voluntary sales of the $5.00 Habitat Stamp sold by license sales agents throughout New York. Proceeds from the sale of habitat stamps go into a special "Habitat Account" within the Conservation Fund.

Grant proposals must be submitted using the application supplied by the DEC and following the procedures outlined in the "Habitat/Access Stamp Funding Program, Application and Instructions (Fiscal Year 2006-07)" available from the DEC. Proposals should describe how the project will meet the objective of improving habitat for fish and wildlife or improving access to those resources. Applications may request funding between the amounts of $1,500 to $15,000 per project.