Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom and the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) partnered for an exciting opportunity for young conservationists — the 2023-2024 Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom College and University Grant Program.
Wild Kingdom has a long legacy of inspiring the next generation of conservationists. As we continue this work today, we look for college or university students, faculty and staff working to help protect and/or restore wildlife and/or its habitats. By partnering with NWF, grant recipients have the support and resources from organizations focused on conserving our wildlife and wild places.
2023-2024 Wild Kingdom Grant Recipients
Congratulations to the seven colleges and universities that were awarded grants as part of the EcoLeaders® program! The grants will be used by college and university staff in tandem with their students to conduct research, restore habitats and advance conservation education for threatened and endangered species within their own communities. This year’s recipients are:
Bellevue College, Washington
As Pacific Northwest salmon population has declined, Bellevue College is looking for ways to reduce stormwater toxins and rebuild the salmon’s habitat. The grant will be used to install bioretention devices, secured to prevent movement with changing water levels. Participants will also reintroduce native plants providing additional filtration of the stormwater. And toxicity levels in stormwater will be monitored before, during and after the project. This will help reduce toxins and restore salmon habitat in the Lake Washington watershed.
Joliet Junior College, Illinois
With over 90 acres of natural areas in the dolomite prairie and fen habitats, Joliet Junior College and its surrounding area is home to many species. Some of these species are threatened or endangered, including Indiana and northern long-eared bats and the Hine’s emerald dragonfly. With this grant, the college will conduct a survey of species to ensure their protection in the area. Survey techniques include acoustic monitoring to record specific bat vocalizations. The results of this survey will help improve and protect endangered species habitat.
Roanoke College, Virginia
Though suburbanization has led to loss of habitat and declining wildlife populations, Roanoke College is working to rebuild homes for native species. The grant will assist with the installation of roosting boxes for little brown, big brown and northern long-eared bats. These boxes can reduce pathogen exposure, crucial in the age of white-nose syndrome. Additional nesting boxes will be installed for great horned owls, eastern screech owls, bees and butterflies. Finally, the college will host a Bat and Owl Watch Evening to share suburban habitat restoration and wildlife research with the community.
University of Montana
Nestled in a mountain valley, the University of Montana is surrounded by incredible wildlife, such as bighorn sheep, deer and black bears. Though the university and the city of Missoula appreciate the presence of their wild neighbors, residents also seek to safely manage human-wildlife interactions. The university is in a “bear buffer zone” and must implement measures to reduce bear attractants. This grant will help improve campus infrastructure with more bear-resistant trashcans and enclosures and create educational programming to promote safe living among wildlife.
University of Nebraska at Omaha
The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is undertaking research on endangered bat species, aiming to enhance bat conservation efforts and public awareness. Insectivorous bats play a crucial role in pest control but face population declines due to habitat loss and white-nose syndrome. UNO’s study focuses on grassland bat foraging ecology, investigating the preference of bats for restored grasslands over agricultural lands. Initial findings suggest increased activity of endangered bat species like the tricolored bat in restored grasslands. With grant funding, UNO plans to expand its research, installing more bat detectors to collect additional data in nature preserves. This effort will double last year’s sample size and aims to provide evidence of how restored grasslands can benefit imperiled bat populations.
University of West Alabama
Though the Blackland prairie has declined across Alabama, an 18-acre remnant remains relatively intact on the University of West Alabama campus. With the support of the grant, the university seeks to restore and maintain the prairie with efforts, such as removing non-native vegetation and reintroducing prescribed fire. Additionally, students will participate in research to quantify the impact of the restoration. These efforts aim to enhance plant diversity and wildlife habitat while providing educational opportunities for students.
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire will use the grant to establish a bird/pollinator garden. This garden, situated along the Mississippi Flyway bird migration route, aims to address issues of plant degradation and invasive species while honoring indigenous heritage. In partnership with the American Indian Studies department, the garden will incorporate native plants and traditional Ojibwe ecological knowledge to create bird-friendly habitat and acknowledge the site’s indigenous history. Educational signage will include Ojibwe plant names and narratives. And window decals designed by a local Ojibwe artist will help prevent bird strikes. Though not directly monitored, the garden is expected to benefit pollinator populations like the Karner blue butterfly, rusty patched bumblebee and monarch butterfly.
Stay tuned for updates on these projects throughout the year.
Grant program details
Protecting threatened, vulnerable and endangered wildlife across the United States starts at the local level. Recipients have access to NWF staff and state affiliates for support on campus and with community projects.
Some areas of focus may include:
- Developing and implementing plans to protect and/or restore habitats for any threatened or endangered species on campus or in the community
- Conducting research on threatened or endangered species on campus or in the community
- Conducting a survey of species on campus, especially any threatened or endangered species
- Establishing a campus garden with wildlife in mind
- Adopting and implementing sustainable landscaping practices on campus with wildlife in mind
- Incorporating smart growth strategies in regard to a campus expansion project with wildlife in mind
- Introducing environmental solutions to urban spaces with wildlife in mind
- Engaging with the community in a conservation project with wildlife in mind
Eligibility
We sought teams dedicated to this mission from all academic disciplines. Applicants were not limited to scientific fields, such as environmental studies or wildlife biology. To be eligible a team must have:
- A project lead who is a faculty and/or staff member (at least 18 years of age)
- At least one undergraduate or graduate student (at least 18 years of age) who serves on the project team and writes a letter of support to accompany the grant application submission
Grant perks and privileges
- $7,500 to $10,000 grant awarded
- Professional development resources, assistance and networking
- Recognition by NWF and Wild Kingdom social media channels
The application period for 2023-2024 is now closed.
Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom is proud to partner with many incredible conservationists and organizations working to keep our wildlife safe. Check out these other great animal and conservation stories from our partners.
