皇冠体育app官网平台

RESTON, Va. — Seven U.S. colleges and universities were awarded grants from Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation, to advance conservation efforts and education for threatened and endangered species in their communities. 

include: Allegheny College, California State University Bakersfield, Georgia State University Perimeter College, Kentucky State University, Smith College, University of South Florida, and the University of Tennessee. 

“We are thrilled to support the seven colleges and universities that have been awarded Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom College and University grants, these diverse projects will impact wildlife from coast to coast, furthering our commitment to conservation education for the next generation of conservationists”, said Jennifer Wulf, vice president, brand marketing for Mutual of Omaha. “We look forward to seeing the conservation efforts of these students come to life in their local areas so that there may always be a wild kingdom.” 

“Wildlife conservation is successful when we collectively support and advance the work of innovative communities across the nation,” said Kristy Jones, director of higher education programs for National Wildlife Federation. “Institutions both big and small are protecting vulnerable species through staff leadership and empowering another generation of conservationists. This grant program is what allows us to continue propelling these successes forward and continuing a conservation legacy.” 

about the 2025 grant projects: 

Allegheny College, Pennsylvania 

Allegheny will transform poorly managed turf at the entrance to their library into a native perennial area and install bird and bat boxes throughout campus. Allegheny will base their native perennial planting on artistic principles of landscape design, which combine aesthetic value with habitat and food for wildlife, including native bees, butterflies, birds, bats, and small mammals. Species that will be positively impacted by Allegheny’s efforts will include native cavity-nesting birds such as the Eastern Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, House Wrens and the Northern long-eared bat and little brown bats. 

California State University Bakersfield

California State University Bakersfield (CSUB) will conduct a survey on the endangered San Joaquin kit fox on campus grounds and in nearby lower Kern River floodplain areas, using a non-invasive DNA based technology. This survey will identify preferred denning and hunting grounds on campus and in areas along the Kern River that runs through the entire city and that connects fragmented fox populations. The survey data will be used for the development of a San Joaquin kit fox habitat conservation plan that will be presented to the CSUB administration and to the Bakersfield City Council. 

Georgia State University Perimeter College

Georgia State University (GSU) Perimeter College will create nesting boxes for the brown-headed nuthatch, which is endemic to the pine forests to the southeastern U.S. Although currently not endangered, the nuthatches’ association with mature pines and its failure to re-colonize degraded areas make this species extremely vulnerable to habitat loss. GSU Perimeter will construct more nesting boxes and repair existing boxes with the goal of expanding box coverage to all campus locations as well as local community sites including nearby K-12 schools, community centers, and local nature preserves.

Kentucky State University

Kentucky State Universities (KSU) will enhance the habitat for two key groups of at-risk bird species on campus including the red-headed woodpecker and various songbird species that depend on shrubby habitats. The Red-Headed Woodpecker, a species of conservation concern, requires mature forest habitats with snags (standing dead trees) for nesting. These snags, essential for woodpeckers to create cavities, have been increasingly scarce due to forest management practices and the removal of dead trees. To address this, KSU will focus on preserving existing snags and incorporating new nesting boxes specifically designed for Red-headed Woodpeckers. Additionally, KSU will improve shrubby habitats including invasive plant control and native plant restoration. 

Smith College, Massachusetts

Smith College will focus their efforts on the restoration of woody habitat in support of the endangered Eastern Rat Snake. The Eastern Rat Snake, the only tree snake in Massachusetts, prefers hardwood forests, forested wetlands, and adjacent thickets. Smith will restore important habitat features through the control of non-native plants and the introduction of native plant woody species. Additionally, students will conduct research on the natural history of the Eastern Rat Snake, focusing on important habitat features, including hibernaculum design and tree planting plan. 

University of South Florida

The University of South Florida will protect and restore habitat for the threatened gopher tortoise through the “Bull’s Nature Trail” Boardwalk Project with the goal of transforming an underutilized campus resource into an ecologically sustainable green space. This project will foster biodiversity and mitigate human-wildlife conflict while strategically preventing encroaching development that threatens their diverse ecosystem. Boardwalk construction will use eco-friendly materials that minimize habitat disruption for the gopher tortoise and other wildlife while creating safe access and providing educational opportunities for the campus community. 

University of Tennessee

University of Tennessee (UT) will research, educate, and protect freshwater mussels, an extremely important part of East Tennessee’s ecology and culture. Freshwater mussels provide vital ecological and economic advantages to aquatic creatures, land-dwelling animals, and our communities. UT will assess the recovery of freshwater mussels in areas where human activity has severely impacted their populations. Additionally, they will evaluate the success of ongoing restoration efforts, providing valuable insights to improve state and federal conservation recovery programs. UT will also partner with the Powell River Tourism Committee of the Claibourne County Tourism Commission to provide interpretive environmental materials for the Powell River Blueway Trail. 

---

About Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom  
Since its network television premiere in 1963, Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom has been one of the most loved and respected wildlife programs in television history. The Daytime Emmy® nominated Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, now airing weekends on NBC’s “The More You Know” time block, celebrates stories of conservation success, including the great work of caring, compassionate experts and how they are making a positive impact on the Wild Kingdom. For more information about Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, visit wildkingdom.com

About Mutual of Omaha  
Founded in 1909, Mutual of Omaha is a highly rated, Fortune 500 organization offering a variety of insurance and financial products for individuals, businesses, and groups throughout the United States. As a mutual company, Mutual of Omaha is owned by its policyholders and committed to providing outstanding service to its customers. For more information about Mutual of Omaha, visit mutualofomaha.com.