RBC | The Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) board awarded an $11,500 grant to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to deploy a drone to better manage wildlife and protect natural resources in the northwest region of the state.
The grant is part of GOCO’s CPW Director’s Innovation Fund (DIF), a partnership between GOCO and CPW to create a funding source for one-time, innovative projects that would not otherwise receive funding from either organization. CPW receives half of GOCO’s funding each year for statewide programs, wildlife, and state parks through an annual investment proposal, however many innovative, small-dollar projects fall outside current funding parameters.
Funding will help CPW purchase and deploy an unmanned aerial system (UAS), or drone, with zooming thermal and standard cameras on board. Staff will conduct various projects on State Wildlife Areas, conduct flights for wildlife management purposes and natural resource protection, and assist officers with law enforcement cases and local search and rescue. CPW’s use of dynamic tools, technology, and other resources allows staff to perform the functions of their jobs more effectively and efficiently.
Special to the Herald Times
