Grants for State governments - Natural Resources

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS or Service) is the premier government agency dedicated to the conservation, protection, and enhancement of fish, wildlife and plants, and their habitats. We are the only agency in the federal government whose primary responsibility is the conservation and management of these important natural resources for the American public. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services origins date back to 1871 when Congress established the U.S. Fish Commission to study the decrease in the nations food fishes and recommend ways to reverse that decline. The FWS is committed to building and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the ethic, age, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, and language diversity of contemporary America. The FWS operates a variety of programs that promote wildlife conservation and public land management under the Public Lands Corps Act (PLC) through engagement, employment, and education of our nations diverse youth and veterans. FWS programs operating under the Public Lands Corps Act have been designated as covered programs under Justice40 (Executive Order 14008). The FWS strives to meet the Federal Governments goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain Federal Investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution. The categories of investment are: climate change, clean energy and energy efficiency, clean transit, affordable and sustainable housing, training and workforce development, remediation of reduction of legacy pollution, and the development of critical clean water and wastewater infrastructure. The Public Lands Corps (PLC) Program is authorized by Congress under Title 16 USC Sec. 1721-1726; Public Law 109-154, Public Lands Corps Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2005 (amends the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993), and all subsequent amendments. Guidance authorizes U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to (1) establish PLC Programs (2) certify participants who meet the PLC eligibility requirements for the PLC non-competitive hiring authority status, and (3) ensure consistent program standards throughout the FWS. The purpose of the FWS PLC Programs is to provide work and education opportunities for youth (defined as ages 16-30 inclusive, and up to age 35 for veterans) participants in the areas of natural and cultural resource conservation, development, and scientific research. Participants perform work on our nations public lands by providing additional, unique capacity designed to boost the impact of the FWS for the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the American people. The PLC FWS Youth Corps Program allows the FWS to establish partnerships with Partner organizations (Partners), generally defined as qualified youth or conservation corps, using financial assistance/cooperative agreements or MOUs, to employ the next generation of conservationists in paid PLC projects and internships. Partners must be designated as an official member of the FWS Youth Corps in order to certify Participants. FWS Youth Corps application information is available in the attachments to this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The purpose of this NOFO is not to establish new partnerships. See Full Announcement for additional information and application instructions. Unsolicited partnership applications or projects that are not collaboratively developed between an existing FWS Youth Corps member and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be returned as ineligible. ***Applicants seeking technical or financial assistance from a FWS PLC programs are requested to consult with a local FWS office BEFORE developing or submitting an application (see FWS Youth Program Contacts included in the Related Documents of this announcement or visit U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (fws.gov) to locate a FWS office in your area. ***Unsolicited Partnership applications submitted through Grants.gov will be returned as ineligible. See Related Documents for application instructions for FWS Youth Corps.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for state and local governments, educational institutions, tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations to enhance wildlife habitat protection and biodiversity on public lands in New Mexico.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for state and local governments, tribal entities, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations to protect and restore aquatic resources on public lands in Colorado, focusing on conservation, climate change adaptation, and community engagement.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that protect and restore aquatic ecosystems in Alaska, targeting state and local governments, tribal organizations, educational institutions, and nonprofits.

This funding opportunity supports collaborative projects that restore rural forest landscapes in the Northeast and Midwest, aiming for significant environmental impact and alignment with state forest management priorities.

This funding opportunity supports state and local governments, Native American tribes, educational institutions, and non-profits in Idaho to conserve and restore rangelands, improve land health, and combat climate change through collaborative projects.

Notice of Funding Opportunity SummaryThe Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is directing resources toward climate-smart agriculture and forestry (CSAF) conservation practices, including those for energy efficiency. NRCS is providing funding for a partnership to provide technical assistance to NRCS and producers on energy practices. Information related to NRCS CSAF practices can be found at the following web address: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2023-10/NRCS-CSAF-Mitigation-Activities-List.pdf.A total of up to $1,500,000 is available in fiscal year 2024. All agreements will be five years in duration. Additional funds may be added to agreement in later years as funds become available. Total funding is dependent on the Federal Budget and technical workload in Ohio. For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.Key DatesApplicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on July 3, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or [email protected]. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed. The agency anticipates making selections by July 18, 2024, and expects to execute awards by August 1, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

This grant provides funding to eligible organizations and individuals for projects that improve and maintain the ecological health of military training lands in Alaska, ensuring sustainable environments for military operations.

This grant provides financial support to community coalitions across the U.S. that aim to create quality jobs and promote an inclusive workforce in the clean energy sector.

This program provides funding for community partnerships to restore habitats, improve water quality, and engage underserved populations in ecological projects across the country.

This fellowship provides up to $150,000 over two years to individuals in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota who are committed to personal growth as leaders and driving equitable, large-scale change in their communities.

This grant provides funding to government entities, educational institutions, tribal governments, and nonprofits for projects that conserve and recover threatened and endangered species in California, with a focus on engaging underrepresented communities.

The 1889 Foundation Creative Health Impact Grant (CHIG) program is designed to foster connections between the arts and the health and wellness of residents in Cambria and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. This initiative directly aligns with the 1889 Foundation's foundational principle of supporting innovative programs to improve and transform the overall health and wellness of the region. By integrating arts projects, performance activities, exhibitions, and other health and wellness-related activities, the grant aims to leverage creative approaches to address community needs and enhance well-being. The target beneficiaries of the CHIG are local non-profit organizations that have established arts and health and wellness initiatives, as well as the residents of Cambria and Somerset Counties who benefit from these programs. The impact goals are centered on supporting projects that demonstrate results and positively impact community needs within these counties. The program seeks to empower organizations to utilize the arts as a vehicle for improving health outcomes and promoting a holistic view of wellness among the local population. Key priorities and focuses for funding include collaborative approaches with quality partners, clearly defined arts and healthcare partnerships, and activities such as exhibitions, performances, festivals, and continuing programs that relate to health and wellness. The 1889 Foundation has specific priority goals that guide project funding, encouraging applicants to align their proposals with these established priorities to increase their chances of success. Both new and well-established programs and projects are eligible, allowing for a broad range of innovative and proven initiatives to be supported. Expected outcomes and measurable results include improved health and wellness indicators within the communities served, increased access to arts-based health initiatives, and stronger collaborative networks between arts and healthcare entities. The grant also anticipates supporting programs that demonstrate a tangible impact on the needs within the community, reinforcing the foundation's strategic commitment to data-driven and results-oriented interventions. The project period runs from September 1, 2024, through August 31, 2025, providing a clear timeframe for program implementation and evaluation. The 1889 Foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are rooted in the belief that innovative programs and initiatives can significantly improve and transform regional health and wellness. The CHIG exemplifies this by directly funding efforts that combine creativity with health objectives. The foundation’s theory of change posits that by investing in local non-profit organizations with arts and health initiatives, it can cultivate a healthier, more engaged community where the arts serve as a vital component of overall well-being. This grant is a direct manifestation of the foundation's leadership in this area for Cambria and Somerset Counties, with the application process managed by the Pennsylvania Rural Arts Alliance (PRAA).

The Go Outside Fund by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin offers grants between $100 and $500 to teachers and organizations in Wisconsin, aiming to facilitate outdoor, nature-based learning experiences for children aged pre-K to 12 by covering costs such as field supplies, transportation, and educator costs.

This program provides annual matching funds to state and territorial historic preservation offices to support the preservation and recognition of historic properties across the United States.

The Anderson County Watershed Protection Council is offering grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 for projects that protect or restore water quality in the Savannah River watershed, increase citizen awareness, and empower communities to collect and share water quality data, with priority given to proposals closest to the spill site.

Background: The Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force (ANSTF) was established by the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act (NANPCA) of 1990, 16 U.S.C. 4721-28, as amended. The ANSTF serves to develop and implement a program for waters of the United States to prevent introduction and dispersal of ANS (also known as aquatic invasive species or AIS), monitor, control, and study such species, and disseminate related information. Co-chaired by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the ANSTF consists of Federal agency representatives and ex-officio representatives that work in conjunction with six regional panels and issue-specific subcommittees to coordinate efforts related to AIS across the Nation.Although prevention is the most cost-effective approach to eliminating or reducing the threat of invasive species, Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) serves as a fail-safe when prevention measures are ineffective or unavailable. The Department of the Interior (DOI or the Department) in coordination with federal agencies, states, tribes, territories, and other partners published Safeguarding Americas Lands and Waters from Invasive Species A National Framework for Early Detection and Rapid Response in 2016. This report called for a focus on coordination and partnerships, science and technology, and strategic on-the-ground actions to detect invasive species that pose the greatest risk and swiftly respond to eradicate them before they establish, spread, and cause adverse impacts. As part of strategically implementing funding made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, DOI identified advancing a National EDRR Framework as a priority and took steps to invest in supporting some of the institutional components of such a framework. To that end, DOI is working with partners to identify, enhance, and collaborate on EDRR activities, build new tools, and support coordinated processes to proactively find and eradicate new invasive species before they establish, spread, and cause harm. Specifics include identifying high risk invasive species and invasion hotspots across the nation to inform early detection efforts, developing molecular tools to aid detection capabilities, expanding capacity for on-the-ground rapid response actions, including the establishment of a pilot Rapid Response Fund for aquatic invasive species, and creating an online clearinghouse where managers can share current information to guide implementation.The Rapid Response Fund addresses the need for readily available financial resources to assess and support response actions for quick containment or eradication of newly detected species. The Fund is a critical component of a National EDRR Framework and a priority need identified within the ANSTFs Strategic Plan for 2020-2025 (Objective 3.3, https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ANSTF-Strategic-Plan-2020-2025.pdf).Accordingly, the ANSTFs Rapid Response Fund Working Group developed The Model Process: Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species (https://www.fws.gov/media/model-process-rapid-response-fund-aquatic-invasive-species) in 2023 to outline a structure and process for a Rapid Response Fund for AIS. On July 19, 2023, the Model Process was unanimously approved by the 13 Federal agencies and 13 non-federal ex-officio members that serve on the ANSTF. This Notice of Funding Opportunity follows this process as detailed in the sections below. General information about the Fund and a list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found at: https://www.fws.gov/story/2023-08/rapid-response-fund-aquatic-invasive-species.In Fiscal Year 2023, BIL funds were directed to establish a pilot Rapid Response Fund for AIS within the existing authorities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Fish and Aquatic Conservation program, to be coordinated though the ANSTF. Accordingly, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, on behalf of the ANSTF, invites proposals to support the rapid response to a new species introduction within freshwater, estuarine, or marine waters of the United States, including the U.S. territories.For the purposes of this Federal Rapid Response Fund,Rapid Response is defined as a process employed to eradicate the founding population of non-native, potentially invasive, species in a specific location before that species begins to reproduce or spreads so widely that eradication is no longer feasible. Eradication is defined as the removal or destruction of an entire population of an invasive species within a specified area. Eligibility requirements for this Rapid Response Fund are described in section C3 below, additional information on these requirements, as well as definitions, can be found in the ANSTF document The Model Process: Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species (https://www.fws.gov/media/model-process-rapid-response-fund-aquatic-invasive-species).

The Climate Smart Communities (CSC) grant program, administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), offers funding to municipalities to tackle greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation and climate change adaptation at a local level. The program is designed to align with broader environmental conservation goals by fostering resilience and reducing environmental impact within New York State communities. It supports projects that either reduce GHG emissions or adapt to the changing climate, directly contributing to a more sustainable future for the state's residents and natural resources. The primary beneficiaries of this program are municipalities across New York State, including counties, cities, towns, villages, and boroughs. The grant aims to reduce risks from climate hazards and decrease GHG emissions, ultimately improving the quality of life and environmental safety for residents. The impact goals are centered on building local capacity to respond to climate change, whether through direct implementation projects or through certification activities that enhance planning and assessment capabilities. The program prioritizes projects that fall into two main categories: Implementation and Certification. Implementation projects are further divided into GHG Mitigation (e.g., reduction of vehicle miles traveled, organic waste, refrigerant management, renewable energy in low-income housing) and Climate Adaptation (reducing risks to residents, infrastructure, and/or natural resources from changing climate hazards). Certification projects focus on assessments, inventories, and planning activities that help municipalities achieve or work towards certified Climate Smart Community status. Projects must demonstrate an ability to identify, mitigate, and/or adapt to climate change vulnerability and risk or demonstrate potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Expected outcomes include a measurable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through various mitigation strategies and a meaningful decrease in climate-related risks for residents, infrastructure, and natural resources. For certification projects, the expected outcome is an increased local capacity to respond to climate change, leading to more informed planning and future grant applications. The grant explicitly states that implementation projects must have a minimum useful life of 10 years, ensuring long-term impact. The strategic priority is to empower local governments to take concrete actions against climate change, with a clear theory of change that by funding targeted projects and capacity-building efforts, the state can achieve significant environmental improvements and enhance community resilience.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state and tribal governments in New Mexico for projects focused on ecosystem restoration, wildfire management, and improving water resources on public lands.

This grant provides funding to various organizations in New Jersey to promote sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship through community gardens and conservation education in urban and underserved areas.