Knoxville, Tenn. (January 10, 2010) - SportDOG Brand® has awarded $19,300 to four conservation groups as part of the annual SportDOG Conservation Fund® grant program. Award recipients were chosen by the company's Conservation Fund Grant Review Committee.

This year's recipients:

Delta Waterfowl has been awarded $5,000 to assist in a study of mallards in northeastern North Dakota. The project will examine the bird's post-breeding movements, habitat usage and mortality.

Quail Forever, working with the Missouri Department of Conservation, has been awarded $5,000 to help with the group's implementation of grassland conservation projects in central Missouri. This program involves tens of thousands of acres in four focus areas identified by the MDC.

Ducks Unlimited will receive $5,000 to help support improved waterfowl production and water quality in northeastern Indiana. The project encompasses 47 acres of emergent wetlands and 222 acres of associated grasslands on private lands.

The Missouri Department of Conservation will receive $4,300 for a habitat improvement project on 40 acres within Poosey Conservation Area in Livingston County. Quail and other upland species will benefit from better nesting and brood-rearing habitat.

"Once again we received a huge variety of applications, and as always it was tough to naroow down the finalists," said Eleanor Marshall with SportDOG Brand®. "We're excited about being able to contribute to these types of projects that will benefit wildlife for generations to come."

Recognizing the need for support of grassroots organizations that work with state, federal, and private wildlife and land management agencies to conserve wild game populations and critical habitat, SportDOG Brand created the SportDOG Conservation Fund® as a way to support conservation organizations and projects customers care about.

For more information on the SportDOG Conservation Fund®, visit our Conservation Fund page. Conservation leaders interested in learning about future grants are encouraged to contact Britney Starr at bstarr@sportdog.net.