CONCORD, NH --The NH Fish and Game Department's annual fund drive for its Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program got a boost from the students of Memorial School in Newton, NH, this week. On Tuesday , the last day of the school year at Memorial, members of the Student Council presented a check for $1,000 to Nongame Program Supervisor John Kanter at the school's end-of-year assembly. The money was raised in a school-wide penny drive.

Local Girl Scout Troop 11014 supported the penny drive by creating their own YouTube video, played on the school's digital monitor during the drive that explored the importance of helping endangered wildlife. The Girl Scouts also made a separate donation of $100 to the Nongame Program with proceeds from their cookie sale. See their video at www.youtube.com/watch?v= FAZIwr1_eMo&authuser=0 .

"The Nongame Program would not be able to do the research and field work needed to protect endangered wildlife without this kind of contribution from the public," said Kanter. "It is so good to see young people who not only care deeply about the natural world, but take action to make a difference."

The 2017 Annual Fund Drive for Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program ends on June 30 .

Donations help Fish and Game earn a $50,000 challenge grant from the State of New Hampshire to fund the work of the Nongame Program.

To learn more about the program and donate, visit www.wildnh.com/nongame .

The Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program works with state and private partners to protect more than 400 wildlife species in New Hampshire.