More than a decade ago, Arizonans overwhelmingly approved the Heritage Fund, which gives money from lottery ticket sales to conservation efforts like protecting endangered species, buying public land for generations to enjoy nature, and educating children about wildlife. During the week of Sept. 13-17, the Arizona Game and Fish Department is showing Arizonans where millions of dollars from the Heritage Fund went – toward great projects across the state. The department just gave out its 10 millionth dollar in Heritage Grant money, and the celebration includes six events at locations that have received Heritage funding.

“The Heritage Fund is a wonderful tool that helps groups across the state pay for educational projects and studies of our native wildlife,” says Arizona Game and Fish Department Director Duane Shroufe. “Projects that otherwise might not receive funding, including schoolyard projects, can go through the application process for Heritage Grant money.”

State legislators, Heritage Alliance members, project partners, the media, and the public are all invited to attend the six events across the state. They will be held on:
 

• Monday, Sept. 13 at 10 a.m. — Yuma West Wetlands, 2200 Water Street in Yuma.
• Monday, Sept. 13 at 11 a.m. — Sweetwater Wetland, 2600 W. Sweetwater Drive in Tucson.
• Tuesday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. — Willow Bend Environmental Education Center, 703 E. Sawmill Road in Flagstaff.
• Wednesday, Sept. 15 at 10 a.m. — Mountain View Elementary School, 1502 West Mountain View Road in Phoenix.
• Thursday, Sept. 16 at 1 p.m. — Mohave Community College, 1971 Jagerson Ave. in Kingman.
• Friday, Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. — Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area, two miles outside Eagar, in the White Mountains. Take Highway 180-191 south from Eagar to Alpine. Two miles outside of Eagar, look for turnoff signs leading south from highway to the Sipe property. Go five miles on dirt road to the ranch headquarters.