Upper Klamath Watershed Resilience

The Upper Klamath Watershed Resilience program is a component of the broader Klamath Basin Forests and Watersheds Restoration initiative administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). This funding stream is focused on the Upper Klamath Basin in Oregon, with the goal of enhancing watershed resilience and supporting the conservation of native fish populations and associated habitats through voluntary restoration and land management actions. The program specifically targets organizations and private landowners working within the Upper Klamath Basin and surrounding agricultural lands. The funding aims to support outreach and technical assistance to private landowners in order to develop conservation plans and implement restoration strategies. Priority project activities include restoring and protecting instream and off-channel habitats, improving passage for aquatic organisms, enhancing instream conditions in flow-limited streams, restoring cold-water springs and refugia, improving forest management, and restoring the structure and ecological function of wetland systems. All supported efforts should contribute to the resilience of the watershed and benefit native fish species. The Upper Klamath Watershed Resilience program anticipates awarding between two and four grants in 2026, with individual award sizes ranging from $100,000 to $500,000. A non-federal match of at least 25% is required, which may consist of cash or in-kind contributions, including staff time, volunteer hours, materials, or donated services. Federal funds may not be used to meet the matching requirement. This program is distinct from the Shasta Valley Program in that it emphasizes Farm Bill program delivery, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, and others. Projects are expected to align with these programs' objectives while fulfilling the goals of the Upper Klamath Watershed Resilience initiative. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, tribal entities, state and local governments, educational institutions, and special districts. Federal agencies, international organizations, businesses, and individuals are not eligible to apply. Applications must be submitted through NFWF’s Easygrants portal. There is no pre-application requirement for this program; however, applicants are encouraged to review the RFP and associated program metrics closely to ensure alignment and competitiveness. Technical assistance and guidance may be obtained by contacting NFWF program staff. The application window for this opportunity closes on February 17, 2026. Awards are expected to be announced in June 2026, with project implementation and expenditure periods extending through June 30, 2028. The program is recurring, with the next anticipated cycle likely occurring in Winter 2027. Proposals will be evaluated based on conservation impact, technical feasibility, alignment with program priorities, budget appropriateness, and demonstrated collaboration with community stakeholders. Projects that use monitoring and spatial data effectively, and engage private landowners in conservation efforts, will be viewed favorably during the review process. Applicants should refer to the metrics table provided in the RFP and select the most relevant outcomes for their proposed activities, such as acres of habitat restored, miles of stream improved, or number of landowners reached. Quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and reporting requirements must be factored into project design and budgeting. All necessary permits must be obtained before on-the-ground work begins, and NFWF will require supporting documentation to demonstrate readiness for implementation.

Ensure alignment with Farm Bill program priorities; engage landowners early; provide quantifiable habitat and water quality metrics.