Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program

The Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP) is a state-funded grant program administered by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to support projects that enhance, restore, rehabilitate, or improve wildlife and aquatic habitats across the state of Montana. The program is grounded in the Kelly Flynn Montana Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Legacy Act and corresponding administrative rules, and it is designed to generate measurable conservation outcomes for species identified as being of conservation need. Oversight of the program is provided by a citizen advisory council, which evaluates proposals and makes funding recommendations to the department. The primary purpose of WHIP is to create habitat uplift or net conservation gain through targeted conservation actions. Eligible projects must focus on ecologically important habitats and demonstrate clear benefits to species of conservation need. Activities supported under the program include improving terrestrial and aquatic habitats, implementing water enhancement projects, restoring range conditions, increasing drought resilience, mitigating environmental degradation such as noxious weeds or soil disturbance, and reducing conflicts between wildlife and livestock. Projects may also support state tribal wildlife programs or related conservation efforts. Funding for WHIP is derived from the state Habitat Legacy Account, with up to 2,000,000 dollars available annually. Grants are reimbursement-based, meaning recipients must initially cover expenses and then request repayment with appropriate documentation. Projects may span up to five years, and funding may be distributed over that period. While matching funds are not explicitly required, proposals that include contributions from multiple partners, including cash and in-kind support, are prioritized during evaluation. Grant funds cannot be used to acquire land or perpetual easements. Eligibility for WHIP is broad and includes state, federal, and tribal agencies, municipal and county governments, conservation districts, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, irrigation and grazing associations, weed management districts, and other entities deemed appropriate by the department. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to administer the grant and manage expenditures. Projects involving collaboration across multiple land ownerships and those providing public access are scored more favorably during the review process. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Montana WebGrants system. Required application components include detailed project descriptions with measurable objectives, a funding request and budget breakdown, project location and maps, identification of species benefiting, a statement of need and urgency, a timeline for completion, and documentation of partner contributions if applicable. Applicants must also include a monitoring plan to evaluate project outcomes and demonstrate how success will be measured over time. The application process is competitive and involves multiple stages of review. Applications are first assessed for completeness by department staff and then scored by the WHIP Advisory Council based on criteria such as collaboration, ecological impact, project scale, public access, and clarity of planning. Applicants may be required to present their proposals during grant hearings. Final funding decisions are made by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks following council recommendations. The funding opportunity is offered annually, with application periods announced each year. For the 2026 cycle, applications are accepted from May 18 through June 19. Grant awards typically begin after approval and contracting, with project periods often starting July 1 and extending through the agreed duration. Program support is available through the WHIP Coordinator, who provides guidance on project development and application requirements.

Emphasize collaboration with multiple partners and funding sources; demonstrate clear measurable outcomes and monitoring plans; prioritize projects with public access and benefits to species of conservation need; ensure application completeness and clarity to avoid disqualification