In its first year and a half of existence, the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust Board has dispensed nearly $4 million for projects to help wildlife in the state.

Demand for dollars from the new state trust fund shows no sign of slowing.

The board will consider 38 grant applications, requesting a total of more than $17 million, in the current funding period, officials announced this week. The board expects to have about $3 million to spend.

The $17 million in requests is the largest amount considered by the board.

"Obviously, with a total request of $17 million and about $3 million available, this will be one of the hardest jobs we have faced," said board chairman Delaine Roberts of Etna.

A majority of record dollars requested are in the form of conservation easements. Conservation easements restrict commercial development and housing on tracts of land that provide important wildlife and agricultural values.

The conservation easement requests range from $75,285 for part of the Sunset Ranch in Sublette County to $3.59 million for part of the Cross Lazy Two Ranch in Sublette County.

"We have nine large easement projects on the list, which is about the same number as we had in the first three funding rounds combined," Roberts said.

In addition to easements, other projects include several continuing sagebrush and rangeland enhancements, many oriented toward improving and maintaining habitat for sage grouse.

"Our board has been very proactive in helping to fund projects that will make things better for sage grouse," Roberts said. To date, the trust fund has provided more than $2 million for sagebrush and sage grouse projects.

Bob Budd, executive director for the trust, estimated that a third of the new proposed projects are continuations of earlier projects, or extensions of those projects onto adjoining properties.

"I didn't see anything wildly new or different," Budd said.

Other projects include two river restoration projects sponsored by the cities of Sheridan and Laramie, a continuation of the successful stock tank escape ramp program for wildlife, major aspen habitat projects, and wetland developments.

"We have continued to grow steadily," Roberts said, "and this would appear to indicate that the projects we have been funding are making a difference."

The board will meet for the initial project review at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 15 at the Lamplighter Motel in Powell.