New York Natural Resources Grants

This grant provides funding to municipalities, non-profits, and educational institutions in New York to restore and improve the health of tributaries in the Hudson River Estuary watershed, enhancing habitats and community resilience to flooding.

This funding opportunity provides financial and technical assistance to New York municipalities for projects that revitalize waterfront areas, enhance climate resilience, and improve public access and water quality.

The Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF) is seeking proposals to restore the health and living resources of Long Island Sound (Sound) with approximately $12 million for grants in 2024. Donor Name: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) State: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/13/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The program is managed by National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Long Island Sound Study (LISS). Major funding is from EPA through the LISS with additional funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Zoetis Foundation. Program Priorities  The LISFF supports efforts to test innovative approaches to conservation, deliver transformative projects and support people and communities who value the Sound and take a role in its future. A road map guiding investments under the LISFF is the Long Island Sound Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan 2020-2024 Update (CCMP). The Long Island Sound Futures Fund invests in projects under three CCMP themes shown below, in CCMP Implementation Actions (IAs) associated with each theme, and in three CCMP cross-cutting principles: resiliency to climate change, long-term sustainability, and environmental justice all defined in the CCMP. The most competitive proposals will be those that incorporate theme(s), IA(s) and one or more cross-cutting principle(s) of the CCMP. CCMP THEME: Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds – Improve water quality by reducing nitrogen pollution, combined sewer overflows, impervious cover, stormwater runoff, and point and nonpoint source loading into Long Island Sound through: Implementation of “shovel-ready” projects that result in quantifiable pollutant prevention. The most competitive projects will be those that address water quality at a larger or more comprehensive scale such as a neighborhood, waterfront or downtown. Proposals will be asked to describe plans for long-term maintenance. Planning activities that set-the-stage for implementation of water quality projects including: 1) community engagement, planning and prioritization; 2) feasibility, suitability or alternatives analyses; 3) site assessment and conceptual design; and 4) final design and permitting. Projects in the Upper Basin states (MA, NH, VT) of the Long Island Sound Watershed must have a specific outcome related to nitrogen/nutrient prevention as a result of project activities through: Implementation of “shovel-ready” projects that result in quantifiable nitrogen/nutrient pollutant prevention with a benefit to Long Island Sound. Proposals will be asked to describe plans for long-term maintenance of the site.  Projects must quantify nitrogen/nutrient reductions in metrics. Planning for activities that set-the-stage for implementation of quantifiable nitrogen/nutrient pollutant prevention with a benefit to Long Island Sound including: 1) community engagement, planning and prioritization; 2) feasibility, suitability or alternatives analyses; 3) site assessment and conceptual design; and 4) final design and permits. Projects must document the benefit to downstream Long Island Sound such as by indicating how the project addresses a source of nitrogen/nutrient pollution, project location and how the design of the project and its implementation will effectively reduce downstream pollution loading. CCMP THEME: Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife – 1) enhance or restore coastal habitats to maintain resilience and function and to support populations of fish, birds and wildlife; and 2) sustain the ecological balance of the Sound in a healthy, productive and resilient state for the benefit of people, wildlife and the natural environment. Implementing “shovel-ready” projects habitat restoration and/or nature based or green-gray hybrid resilience projects. Proposals will be asked to describe plans for long-term maintenance. Planning that sets-the-stage for implementation of projects including: 1) community engagement, planning and prioritization; 2) feasibility, suitability or alternatives analyses; 3) site assessment and conceptual design; and 4) final design and permits. Fostering diverse, balanced and abundant populations of fish, birds and wildlife. Consider the LISS Habitat Restoration Guidelines to inform development of a proposal. CCMP THEME: Sustainable and Resilient Communities – Support vibrant, informed, and engaged communities that use, appreciate, and help protect and sustain the Sound. Projects providing hands-on conservation experiences will be more competitive. Funding Information With funding of approximately $12 million for projects in 2024, there are multiple funding categories under the LISFF each with a different range of grant funding. Implementation Projects: $50,000 to $1.5 million for projects with particularly high environmental community benefit relative to cost, including: Water quality, habitat restoration, and resilience projects. Projects with the greatest promise to demonstrate, influence, pilot, innovate, and/or provide a proof of concept with the aim of accelerating local and regional water quality improvements, natural resource restoration, coastal resilience, Environmental Justice and/or community and public outreach and engagement. Design/Planning Projects: $50,000 to $500,000 for: Water quality or habitat restoration projects. Watershed plans. Community resilience/sustainability/natural hazard mitigation plans. Project Period Projects must start within six months and be completed within 24 months after notification of grant award. Eligibility Criteria  Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c) organizations, state government agencies, local government, municipal government, Tribal Governments and Organizations, and educational institutions. For more information, visit NFWF.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for nonprofit organizations and community groups to develop training programs and services that help disadvantaged individuals and transitioning fossil fuel workers build careers in New York's green economy.

This grant provides funding for research projects that enhance the health of the Lake Champlain Basin, focusing on climate change adaptation, water quality, and community resilience, and is open to universities, nonprofits, and businesses in Vermont and New York.

This grant provides funding for projects in St. Lawrence County that focus on preserving historical sites, supporting places of worship, and aiding military veterans.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and event organizers in Cattaraugus County to create tourism-driven events and attractions that encourage visitors to explore the area.

This grant provides funding to Great Lakes states to implement their plans for managing and preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species, benefiting both the states and the Great Lakes ecosystem.

This funding opportunity supports not-for-profit organizations and local governments in New York State to provide food boxes and nutrition education in communities eligible for SNAP benefits.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to not-for-profit organizations, tribal groups, and local governments in New York to create community gardens that promote nutrition education and increase access to fresh produce for low-income residents.

This grant provides financial support to individual artists in specific New York counties for creating new artwork that engages the community through participation or public presentation.

This funding opportunity supports organizations working to restore and sustain forests and freshwater habitats in Central Appalachia, benefiting native wildlife and engaging local communities in conservation efforts.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to New York State municipalities for developing or expanding food scraps recycling programs to promote sustainable waste management and reduce landfill waste.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to New York State municipalities and eligible organizations for implementing green infrastructure projects that improve water quality and enhance resilience against flooding and extreme weather events.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, governments, and educational institutions for projects that restore and sustain healthy rivers, forests, and grasslands to support diverse wildlife in the Northeast.

This funding opportunity supports private landowners in New York State to establish new forested areas of at least five acres, promoting climate change mitigation and environmental sustainability.

This program provides funding to New York State municipalities for projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance climate change resilience.

This program provides funding for applied research and demonstration projects that utilize advanced wood materials in transportation infrastructure, prioritizing initiatives that enhance resilience to extreme weather and support economically distressed communities.

This funding opportunity supports projects that enhance fish and wildlife habitats, improve water quality, and promote outdoor recreation within the Delaware River watershed, targeting nonprofits, educational institutions, government agencies, and Tribal organizations.

This grant provides financial support to non-profit organizations in Tompkins County for short-term projects that address significant community needs.