Federal Natural Resources Grants

Naval Auxiliary Landing Field San Clemente Island (SCI) is designated as an Area of Special Biological Significance and under Executive Order 13158, all Areas of Special Biological Significance were deemed National Marine Protected Areas. The Marine Life Protection Act Amendments of 2004 required the effectiveness of all National Marine Protected Areas, California State Marine Protected Areas, and Areas of Special Biological Significance to be reevaluated to design new Marine Protected Areas that together function as a statewide network. The 1999 and 2004 amendments of the Marine Life Protection Act (Chapter 10.5 of the California Fish and Game Code, 2850-2863) directed the state to reevaluate and redesign Californias system of Marine Protected Areas and requires monitoring of those Marine Protected Areas. All of the Channel Islands, including SCI, were considered for designation of Marine Protected Areas. In 2010, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) established permanent safety zones (Federal Register Vol. 75, No. 97) off the shore of SCI in order to conduct training essential to successfully accomplishing U.S. Navy missions relating to military operations and national security. The safety zones are intended to protect the public from hazardous, live-fire, and testing operations, and to ensure operations proceed as scheduled. With the establishment of safety zones, the Navy withdrew such areas from unrestricted public use in favor of utilizing these areas for military training. To achieve compliance with the SCI Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan (INRMP), Executive Order 13158, and to avoid designation of a state Marine Protected Area, the SCI INRMP boundary was extended to align with the safety zone boundaries established by USCG. As agreed with the State and the INRMP, these safety zones act as defacto Marine Protected Areas and are monitored similarly to the South Coast Marine Protected Areas. In 2012/2013, baseline Remotely Operated Vehicle surveys and bathymetric mapping efforts were conducted at SCI to support safety zone monitoring. The work under this proposed Cooperative Agreement will build on the baseline 2012/2013 Remotely Operated Vehicle surveys and 2019/2020 continued long-term monitoring efforts to continue to evaluate changes to fishes and invertebrates inside and outside no-take safety zones. The objective of this project is to continue long-term monitoring of fishes and invertebrates in order to evaluate the ecological changes within the SCI safety zones with a focus on evaluating differences between the no-take safety zones and those that are open to fishing consistent with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Marine Protected Area Monitoring Action Plan (California Department of Fish and Wildlife and California Ocean Protection Council, 2018; https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/MPAs/Management/Monitoring/Action-Plan). Brief Description of the Anticipated Work: This Cooperative Agreement includes three Base Tasks. The first base task is to conduct subtidal, imagery-based habitat surveys for fishes and selected invertebrates based on species observed in 2024/2025. The second base task is to conduct spatial analyses (including, but not limited to, habitat suitability models) on the fish and invertebrate data combined with existing bathymetric maps of the seafloor. The third base task is to develop a preliminary report with a summary of the surveys. The specific requirements for each Base Task are described below. 1. Survey Subtidal Habitat for Demersal Fishes and Invertebrates: The Recipient shall conduct imagery-based subtidal surveys for fishes and selected invertebrates with protocols approved by the Cooperative Agreement Technical Representative (CATR). Surveys shall focus on, but are not limited to, species identified in the 2012 2015 and 2019/2020 Remotely Operated Vehicle surveys and to the best extent practicable sample at previously surveyed sites. The Recipient shall be responsible for scheduling and coordinating field activities such as surveying with the CATR, and other necessary island personnel. The Recipient shall be responsible for providing information necessary to obtain security passes for all personnel and vehicles requiring access to the Navy installations at least one month prior to surveys. The Recipient shall submit the information necessary to obtain the security passes at least one month in advance of initial access. The CATR will assist in obtaining the security passes. 2. Conduct Comprehensive Spatial Analyses of Patterns in the Distribution of Demersal Fishes and Invertebrates: The Recipient shall conduct comprehensive spatial analyses of imagery-derived data, combined with habitat classification maps of the subtidal environment. Analyses shall be conducted using the current best practices and the appropriate software for such analyses. 3. Draft and Final Technical Report: The draft and final preliminary report shall be submitted in accordance with Section J. Submittals and Schedules. The report shall be in scientific format and include the following: 1) Title page showing title, date, cooperative agreement number, Pacific Fleet Representative and Cooperative Agreement Technical Representative contact information; 2) Sub-title page showing title, prepared by and for listings, date and recommended citation; 3) Table of contents; 4) Abstract or Executive Summary; 5) Introduction; 6) Methods; 7) Results; 8) Discussion; 9) Conclusions (to include synthesis with previous work and recommendations for future study); 10) Legible copies of the field notes, data forms and other information. Please see enclosure 1 for full scope of work and enclosure 2 for applicable terms and conditions.

This grant provides funding to U.S.-based marine mammal rescue organizations to support the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of stranded marine mammals, while enhancing their operational capacity and training.

The USDA Forest Service’s funding opportunity, "Recreation Sites and Visitor Services: Creating Quality Recreation Experiences," aims to cultivate partnerships to improve recreation opportunities on National Forest System lands. This Outreach of Interest (OOI) is not a traditional grant program but serves as a mechanism to engage potential partners in identifying collaborative projects. It seeks to generate ideas for programs or initiatives that address recreation needs, enhance visitor experiences, and support infrastructure improvements. By fostering partnerships, the USDA Forest Service aims to build capacity, improve recreational offerings, and ensure the long-term stewardship of public lands. The primary goal of this initiative is to create and maintain high-quality recreational experiences. This includes addressing the increased demand for outdoor recreation, enhancing access to public lands, improving safety, and maintaining or upgrading the extensive infrastructure on National Forest System lands. The USDA Forest Service manages 160,000 miles of trails, 10,000 developed recreation sites, and 196 million acres of forest and grasslands, which are visited by millions annually. Partnerships are vital for meeting growing recreational demands, maintaining infrastructure, and engaging communities in conservation and stewardship. This funding opportunity does not specify a monetary award ceiling or floor, as its primary purpose is to explore project ideas rather than allocate direct funding. Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities, such as for-profit and non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, federal, state, local, and Native American tribal governments, and other public entities like school districts and conservation districts. The USDA Forest Service values collaborations that address shared goals and create opportunities for community engagement, job training, conservation education, and improved access to public lands. Applications should outline ideas for programs or projects that align with the USDA Forest Service’s objectives. Potential projects might involve enhancing infrastructure resiliency to weather events, improving access for activities like hunting or fishing, or increasing the capacity of recreational sites to serve visitors. Submitted proposals should demonstrate how partnerships will help address the challenges of maintaining high visitor standards while accommodating growing demand. Applicants are encouraged to innovate and propose solutions that foster long-term sustainability and stewardship. Submissions must follow specific guidelines outlined in the "Outreach of Interest Template Instructions" document. Applicants should save their forms under a new name before uploading them to ensure proper submission. While this OOI does not include specific funding terms, successful partnerships could lead to future agreements or collaborative initiatives under the USDA Forest Service’s legislative authority. The application period closes on **January 23, 2025**, with an original deadline extension previously set for February 7, 2025. Interested parties should ensure their proposals are submitted promptly and in compliance with submission requirements. For additional information or assistance, applicants can contact Robin Taylor-Davenport from the Outreach and Partnership Engagement Branch. This opportunity provides a platform for diverse entities to collaborate with the USDA Forest Service in supporting outdoor recreation. Through innovative partnerships, it aims to enhance the recreational experience for millions of visitors while promoting sustainable land stewardship and community involvement.

This grant provides funding to state and local organizations for projects that preserve and promote the maritime heritage of the United States through education, historic property restoration, and the transmission of traditional maritime skills.

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 funding opportunity provides financial support to the National Association of Counties Research Foundation to strengthen partnerships between county governments and the Department of Defense, enhancing military readiness through improved land management and conservation practices.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for California-based research organizations to enhance the resilience of desert ecosystems at a military training site by using advanced modeling techniques to study and manage key species and habitats.

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.

This funding opportunity is designed for U.S. higher education and nonprofit organizations previously designated as Coral Reef Research Centers to establish institutes that will enhance research, monitoring, and management of coral reef ecosystems in the Atlantic and Pacific regions.

Overview: Island-wide population assessments support compliance with the San Clemente Island (SCI) Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan (INRMP), and also provide a benefit to the black abalone species as required under section 4(a)(3)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (16 U.S.C. 35). The SCI INRMP main objective for black abalone is to continue to monitor and support the recovery of the black abalone population in suitable rocky intertidal habitat to increase the population at SCI, which specifically calls for efforts to continue to refine knowledge of, and monitor, the black abalone population and density at SCI. Endangered black abalone are currently present on SCI, managed under the SCI INRMP, and continued critical habitat exemption is still crucial to support the Navys mission on SCI. Thus, it is imperative that the present black abalone population size and density estimates are investigated. Details of the location, abundance, and habitat suitability for endangered black abalone on SCI will assist natural resource managers in conservation of the species, aid in recovery efforts for the species on SCI, and will support ongoing and future Navy operations to support the Mission. Please see the statement of Objectives, provided as a separate document, for a full description of the project.

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.

This program provides financial support to federally recognized Tribes for conservation projects that benefit fish, wildlife, and their habitats, focusing on species of cultural significance and promoting local conservation efforts.

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 provides financial support to local watershed groups for collaborative projects that improve water sustainability and resource management.

This Program Announcement is issued under the provisions of section 104 of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-242), as amended by Public Laws 101-397, 104-147, 106-374, 109-471, and 11758. Section 104 of the Water Resources Research Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to administer program grants to Institutes established under the provisions of section 104(a) of the Act. Water Resources Research Institutes have been established in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. The Institute in Guam also serves the Federated States of Micronesia and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Institute in Hawaii also serves American Samoa. The addresses of the 54 Institutes are available at https://water.usgs.gov/wrri/index.php. Responsibility for administration of the Water Resources Research Act Program has been delegated to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

This funding opportunity supports Sea Grant programs in enhancing aquaculture knowledge and practices through travel and collaboration with industry and educational partners, benefiting U.S. coastal and Great Lakes communities.

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.