Whether you won or lost when you bought a lottery ticket last year, some of your money benefits Arizona's wildlife and students. [So, overall, you won!]

That's because the Arizona Game and Fish Department uses some of its Heritage Fund monies that come from Arizona Lottery ticket sales to provide grants for wildlife education and research. This year, more than $410,000 is being awarded to 27 grant projects across Arizona. When combined with matching money from other sources, the projects being funded total nearly $1 million invested in Arizona.

"By simply buying Arizona Lottery tickets, Arizonans can help conserve wildlife and habitat, and provide schools with outdoor-related opportunities that can keep kids connected to nature despite the reduced budgets of local schools," says Robyn Beck, the department's Heritage grant coordinator.

Heritage Fund Created In 1990

Arizona voters created the Heritage Fund back in 1990. The money from lottery ticket sales goes to conservation efforts such as protecting endangered species, educating our children about wildlife, helping urban residents to better coexist with wildlife, and creating new opportunities for outdoor recreation. Over the years, Game and Fish has awarded a total of more than $14 million in grants to communities across the state.

The application period for the 2015 grant cycle is now open.

Learn More At The Workshops

To learn more about Heritage grants and how to apply for the more than $400,000 available, attend one of the department's optional workshops being held at the following times and locations:

1. Tuesday, July 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Phoenix Game and Fish office, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix.

2. Wednesday, Aug. 6 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Pima County Natural Resources, 1st Floor Conference Room, 3500 W. River Road, Tucson.

3. Monday, Aug. 11 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Flagstaff regional Game and Fish office, 3500 S. Lake Mary Road, Flagstaff.

Those planning to attend the workshops, and those wanting to learn more about eligibility for the grant money, should R.S.V.P. to Robyn Beck at (623) 236-7530. A minimum of three people must sign up for each workshop or the session will be cancelled 48 hours prior to the date.

The fund application deadline is Sept.30 at 5 p.m. MST.

Potential grant recipients must have a project that is either located in Arizona or involves research in which the wildlife or its habitat is located in Arizona. More information on the grants and current application materials can be found at the department's website at http://www.azgfd.gov/heritage.