PHOENIX — Arizona will receive nearly $26 million as part of a distribution of $1.1 billion in revenues generated by the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Acts, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced.

This conservation funding supports essential conservation projects performed by state game and fish agencies to directly benefit fish and wildlife, or improve outdoor recreational activities. The money is derived from excise taxes that are paid on certain hunting, fishing and shooting equipment, as well as through fuel taxes.

Arizona is one of four states in the Service’s Southwest Region that will share in a total distribution of $123,356,617. Texas will receive $52,684,507, followed by Arizona ($25,896,359), Oklahoma ($23,945,446) and New Mexico ($20,830,305).

“Arizona outdoor enthusiasts support conservation through the purchase of hunting and fishing equipment,” said Larry D. Voyles, director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Thanks to our hunters and anglers, who continue to be the primary benefactors for wildlife conservation, the WSFR funds we receive will be used for the direct benefit of Arizona’s wildlife.”

Wildlife restoration funds can be used for translocation projects, wildlife population surveys, species research, hunter education, acquisition of wildlife habitat, and the development of shooting ranges. Sport Fish restoration funds can be used for fish research, reintroducing declining sport fish species, restoring aquatic habitat, aquatic education, constructing boat ramps and fishing piers, and boating access.

WSFR has facilitated impressive conservation partnerships since 1937. Over the past 79 years, more than $18 billion has been generated for the betterment of wildlife, fisheries and boating access. Hunting and fishing license revenues paid to state wildlife agencies by hunters and anglers are used, in part, to match the conservation funding that comes from WSFR – roughly $5 billion to date.