(a) There is established an account to be known as the “wildlife conservation account”. The wildlife conservation account shall be an account of the Conservation Fund established under section 22a-27h. Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, any moneys required by law to be deposited in the account shall be deposited in the Conservation Fund and credited to the wildlife conservation account. Any balance remaining in the account at the end of any fiscal year shall be carried forward in the account for the fiscal year next succeeding. The account shall be available to the Commissioner of Environmental Protection for: (1) Matching federal and private wildlife conservation funds; (2) providing grants to municipalities and nonprofit organizations for wildlife conservation purposes; (3) wildlife research and management, with an emphasis on those wildlife species in greatest need of conservation; (4) wildlife inventory and restoration; (5) wildlife habitat acquisition, restoration, enhancement and management, including, but not limited to, the conservation of grasslands and other early successional habitats; and (6) public outreach that promotes the preservation of the state’s wildlife diversity.

      (b) The Commissioner of Environmental Protection may receive private donations to the wildlife conservation account and any such receipts shall be deposited in the account.

      (c) The Commissioner of Environmental Protection may provide for the reproduction and marketing of the wildlife conservation commemorative number plate image for use on clothing, recreational equipment, posters, mementoes, or other products or programs deemed by the commissioner to be suitable as a means of supporting the wildlife conservation account. Any funds received by the commissioner from such marketing shall be deposited in the wildlife conservation account.