The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has awarded 29 grants using money from the Wildlife Preservation Fund check-off on the state's income tax form.

State officials say the Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund Advisory Committee has approved more than $152,000 for the projects. More than 1,150 projects have received more than $5.4 million in funding since the program started 27 years ago. This year's largest grant of $34,000 goes to state biologists to study endangered and threatened species in Illinois. It is the second year of a 5-year project.

Projects that have received money include efforts at habitat enhancement and species restoration.