Utah gets chunk of habitat, land grants

Out of $57.9 million in federal grants announced Friday that will support land acquisition and conservation planning for endangered species in 23 states, Utah will get a $458,080 chunk.

The White Dome Nature Reserve in Washington County will see $400,000 combined with two past grants to permanently protect its 800-acre ecosystem complex, where 20 percent of the known populations of the endangered dwarf bear poppy grows.

The remaining $58,080 will be used to assist Garfield County in its habitat conservation planning process, which includes managing a recovery area for the Utah prairie dog.