Grants for County governments - Natural Resources

The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service State and Private Forestry, offers the Community Challenge Grant program to fund projects that promote tree planting, care of trees, and education on tree issues, with the aim of enhancing the quality of Arizona’s urban and community forests, and requires applicants to contribute at least 10% of the total project cost.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking grant proposals from applicants interested in conducting projects that will benefit some of Washington’s most imperiled wildlife. The Wildlife Diversity Grant Program aims to support recovery actions for a suite of Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) that are state-listed or candidates for listing. Grant funding can also be awarded for projects aimed at collecting data and information on species abundance, distribution, and habitat associations with priority for those whose habitats are under significant threat of incompatible development, land use, or resource management. Funding for the Wildlife Diversity Grant program comes from a significant investment by the state legislature to restore and protect biodiversity in Washington, and the Department expects this funding to be available in future biennia to continue this grant program. Priority Activities for Funding Priority activities include: Implementing recovery and conservation actions for eligible Washington endangered, threatened, sensitive, and candidate species that directly and measurably benefit species populations. These projects contribute to increased species abundance, distribution, population health, or clear abatement of direct threats. Collecting data and information on the abundance, distribution, habitat associations, or natural history of eligible state endangered, threatened, sensitive, and candidate species, with additional priority given toward species whose habitat is under significant pressure from development, land use, or resource management (i.e., shrubsteppe, eastside forest, prairies, and oak woodlands). Completing direct actionable steps toward achieving increased populations of eligible species (e.g., conservation translocation feasibility studies) or baseline data collection (e.g., developing survey protocols or assessing habitat use) for eligible species. Ineligible activities include habitat restoration, conservation easements, land acquisition, outreach and education, and projects that primarily target benefits for species outside the WDFW Wildlife Diversity Division’s scope of responsibility, including fish, aquatic invertebrates, wolves, and harvested wildlife. Review the grant opportunity announcement for more details on priority, eligible, and ineligible activities for inclusion in grant proposals, including a list of eligible species. How to apply Grant applicants must email their complete proposal to [email protected] no later than 11:59 pm on May 5, 2024. Please refer to the grant announcement for instructions on the required application components and their formats. Agency contact info Questions and communications concerning this grant opportunity may be directed to: Jenna Judge Wildlife Diversity Assistant Division Manager Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife [email protected]

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is soliciting proposals to reduce whale mortality from fishing gear entanglement in Southern California. This grant directly aligns with NFWF's mission to sustain, restore, and enhance the nation's fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats for current and future generations by addressing a critical threat to cetacean populations. The program aims to provide compensatory restoration for injuries to cetaceans caused by the Refugio Beach Oil Spill (RBOS), thereby mitigating past environmental damage and fostering healthier marine ecosystems. The primary beneficiaries of this program are cetaceans in Southern California, particularly those susceptible to entanglement in fishing gear. The impact goals are to increase the capacity of the entanglement response network, improve documentation and disentanglement efforts, and broadly support activities that reduce serious injuries or mortalities from entanglements. This initiative contributes to the foundation's strategic priority of healthy oceans and coasts by safeguarding marine mammals. The program prioritizes several key areas to achieve its goals. These include directly enhancing entanglement response in Southern California, and potentially beyond if it benefits local cetaceans, coordinating with federal, state, and local resource agencies to improve the overall West Coast Marine Mammal Entanglement Response Program, and training and developing volunteer response capacity. Furthermore, proposals should outline how activities will contribute to the development of the overall capacity and infrastructure of the program. Expected outcomes include a more robust and efficient entanglement response network, a reduction in the number of entangled cetaceans, improved survival rates of entangled animals through effective disentanglement, and enhanced coordination among relevant agencies. Measurable results would likely involve metrics such as the number of successful disentanglements, the increase in trained responders, and the documented reduction in entanglement-related mortalities. An estimated $250,000 will be available for a Phase 1 project award, anticipated to last 1-2 years, with a priority geographic focus on the coastlines off Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, and Orange Counties.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for conservation projects aimed at protecting threatened and endangered species in Colorado, targeting state and local governments, educational institutions, tribal organizations, and nonprofits.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state, county, and tribal governments in Wyoming for collaborative projects that restore landscapes, improve ecosystem health, and enhance resilience against climate change and wildfires.

The F25AS00011 - NAWCA 2025 U.S. Small Grants program is a competitive funding opportunity that supports partnerships focused on long-term protection, restoration, and enhancement of wetland and associated habitats for migratory birds in the United States, requiring a 1:1 non-federal match and excluding research funding.

This program provides financial assistance to counties and tribal governing bodies to enhance fish and wildlife programs. Established in 1965 by the Wisconsin Legislature as an alternative to bounty payments on coyote, foxes, and bobcats, it now supports a wide range of county-sponsored fish and wildlife habitat projects. After the state budget approval, funds are allocated based on the ratio of each county's area to the total state area. The program is designed as a cost-share initiative for projects that include development of outdoor recreation structures, habitat restoration, stocking projects, maintenance, and miscellaneous projects directly related to fish and wildlife. Grant renewed every year. Grant annual deadline: October 1st

Through Planning and Project Design Grants, Reclamation provides funding for collaborative planning and design projects to support water management improvements. This includes funding for: (1) Water Strategy Grants to conduct planning activities to improve water supplies(e.g., water supplies to disadvantaged communities that do not have reliable access to water, water marketing, water conservation, drought resilience, and ecological resilience); (2) Project Design Grants to conduct project-specific design for projects to improve water management; and (3) comprehensive Drought Contingency Plans. Note that funding to develop a water marketing strategy formerly funded through Water Marketing Strategy Grants, a stand-alone funding opportunity under WaterSMART - is now available through (1) Water Strategy Grants.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that protect and restore aquatic ecosystems on public lands, with a focus on engaging underserved communities and addressing climate challenges.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is offering a $10 million grant to tribal nations and local governmental units in Minnesota for projects aimed at preparing local wastewater infrastructure for climate change impacts, with a focus on protecting water quality, increasing resilience, and promoting energy and water efficiency.

The California Tahoe Conservancy (Conservancy) leads California's efforts to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural and recreational resources of the Lake Tahoe Basin. The principal goal of the Conservancy's Science and Lake Improvement Account program (SB 630, 2013) is to support near-shore environmental improvement program activities and projects, particularly projects that manage aquatic invasive species or improve public access to sovereign land in Lake Tahoe.More specifically, such projects manage aquatic invasive species, or improve public access to sovereign land in Lake Tahoe, including planning and site improvement or reconstruction projects on public land, and land acquisitions from willing sellers. SB 630 (2013) allocates the Conservancy approximately $350,000 annually. Please contact staff at [email protected] and 916.402.7508 for more information.

This funding opportunity provides financial assistance to state and local governments, in partnership with nonprofit organizations, for the acquisition and preservation of significant Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War battlefields.

Applications may be considered under one or both of the following project priorities. Project Type - Transition from Provisional License to Annual License: To transition to an annual license, provisional licensees must meet all regulatory requirements in Title 3 of the California Code of Regulations, sections 8102, 8105, and 8106. Eligible activities under this project type include, but are not limited to: cleanup, remediation, and restoration, professional services, consulting, and infrastructure related to cleanup, remediation, and restoration. Eligible costs include but are not limited to: compliance costs (except the ineligible costs described above); meeting the avoidance, minimization, or mitigation requirements approved in the project’s CEQA document; or county permitting requirements. If the applicant is representing a provisional license cultivator, actions outlined must lead to the issuance of an annual license or lead to on-the-ground implementation that will result in the issuance of an annual license from the licensing authority. Project Type - Sustainable Cannabis Cultivation Practices: Sustainable cannabis cultivation practices should alleviate direct and indirect environmental impacts of cannabis cultivation and enhance environmental stewardship. Activities that may be eligible include but are not limited to: sustainable water consumption, sustainable waste management, integrated pest and disease management, erosion control, and/or riparian protection. Qualified Cultivator - The following qualified cultivator may be represented by an eligible applicant. The qualified cultivator being represented by the eligible applicant must at a minimum have a valid and active provisional license or annual license issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA; now the Department of Cannabis Control). Bus. & Prof. Code, § 26050.2 et seq.). Priority will be given to qualified cultivators with ownership and/or financial interest in no more than 10,000 square feet of total canopy. However, cultivators with ownership and/or financial interest accumulating between 10,000-20,000 square feet of total canopy may still qualify. All proposed projects must benefit qualified cultivators as defined below. Qualified cultivation license types are: Specialty cottage:-“Specialty Cottage Outdoor” is an outdoor cultivation site with up to 25 mature plants.-“Specialty Cottage Mixed-Light Tier 1” only, is a mixed-light cultivation site with 2,500 square feet or less of total canopy Specialty:-“Specialty Outdoor” is an outdoor cultivation site with less than or equal to 5,000 square feet of total canopy, or up to 50 mature plants.-“Specialty Mixed-Light Tier 1” only, is a mixed-light cultivation site between 2,501 and 5,000 square feet of total canopy. Small:- “Small Outdoor” is an outdoor cultivation site between 5,001 and 10,000 square feet of total canopy.- “Small Mixed-Light Tier 1” only, is a mixed-light cultivation site between 5,001 and 10,000 square feet of total canopy. “Mixed-light Tier 1” is without the use of artificial light or the use of artificial light at a rate above zero, but no more than six watts per square foot.

The overarching goal of the Risk MAP Program is to enhance flood-resilient communities, including underserved communities. The CTP Program supports this goal by establishing, maintaining, and improving collaborative working relationships; ensuring timely and accurate delivery of data to communities to support flood risk reduction and mitigation; and program ownership. Additionally, CTP supports Risk MAPs goal of ensuring the long-term flood resiliency of communities, including underserved communities. The objectives of the CTP program are primarily to support the mission and objectives of the NFIPs Flood Hazard Mapping Program through FEMAs flood hazard identification and risk assessment programs, including the Risk MAP program. Objectives include: Ensure extensive stakeholder engagement throughout the lifecycle of a project so that stakeholders have access to flood hazard data and risk information to validate and use for community resiliency. Stakeholders in CTP projects typically include community and tribal leaders; business and property owners; regional, tribal, and state partners; and local elected officials. Enhance communities ability to make informed decisions on development using updated information by ensuring it is delivered to communities in a timely manner and on budget. Improve acceptance and use of the flood hazard data and risk information, through delivery of high-quality products to communities. Increase understanding of flood hazard and risk elements, leading to quality partnerships between CTPs and their communities, and between FEMA and CTPs, by providing training and engagement throughout the project.Applicants can submit applications for this funding opportunity through FEMA Grants Outcomes (GO). Access the system at https://go.fema.gov/

This funding opportunity supports K-12 schools and organizations in Washington and Oregon to create hands-on environmental education projects that promote climate resilience and incorporate Indigenous Knowledge.

This program provides funding to local governments, tribal entities, and nonprofits in Colorado to implement projects that reduce flood and erosion risks following wildfires.

This funding opportunity supports community programs that teach and engage diverse families in fishing, boating, and aquatic conservation efforts throughout California.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for state and local governments, tribal organizations, nonprofits, and educational institutions to manage and control invasive plant species on public lands in Oregon and Washington.

This grant provides funding for research and conservation projects aimed at combating the devastating effects of a fungal disease on hibernating bat populations in North America, targeting various stakeholders including governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions.

The Cleveland Tree Coalition Grant 2024, offered by the Cleveland Tree Coalition, aims to re-establish the urban forest in the City of Cleveland. This initiative aligns directly with the coalition's mission as a partnership of public, private, and community stakeholders dedicated to creating a healthy, vibrant, sustainable, and equitable urban forest through the implementation of the Cleveland Tree Plan. The grant program specifically targets neighborhoods within Cleveland that suffer from low tree canopy cover, seeking to address environmental inequities and enhance urban green spaces for all residents. The primary goal of the Cleveland Tree Coalition (CTC) Fall 2024 Grant program is to plant trees in these identified areas. This focus is a strategic priority, contributing to the broader objective of rebuilding Cleveland's urban forest. Eligible projects include tree planting and associated supplies such as staking, mulching, and fencing, as well as costs for establishment activities like watering and soil preparation. The program also supports free tree giveaways, with a limit of 50 trees per giveaway, further encouraging community involvement and individual action in tree planting efforts. The program prioritizes projects that incorporate proper site selection, regardless of whether planting occurs on public or private property. A crucial requirement for all projects is the provision of both a comprehensive planting plan and a detailed three-year maintenance plan. This emphasis on long-term care ensures the successful establishment and survival of newly planted trees, contributing to the lasting impact and sustainability of the urban forest. This structured approach reflects a theory of change that posits thoughtful planning and sustained effort are essential for achieving robust environmental outcomes. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in tree canopy cover in targeted Cleveland neighborhoods, leading to improved air quality, reduced urban heat island effects, and enhanced biodiversity. The grant anticipates fostering greater community engagement in environmental stewardship through activities like free tree giveaways and active participation in planting and maintenance. Organizations can apply for up to $75,000 in grant funds, which will facilitate a significant expansion of tree planting efforts across the city, contributing directly to the Cleveland Tree Plan's vision for a healthier and more equitable urban environment.