The Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley Restoration Fund, administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), provides grant funding to projects that aim to restore, enhance, and maintain bottomland hardwood forests and wetlands; implement conservation practices on agricultural lands; promote aquatic connectivity; and improve community resilience in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV). The LMAV spans seven states: Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Funding for the program is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Walton Family Foundation, and International Paper’s Forestland Stewards Partnership.
The program’s scope prioritizes work that supports species identified in NFWF’s LMAV Business Plan, particularly the Louisiana black bear and swamp rabbit, while also benefiting forest birds, waterfowl, freshwater fish such as gar, and other wildlife. Projects may range in focus, including bottomland hardwood forest enhancement, forest restoration through planting, wetland hydrology restoration, conservation practices on working lands, and technical assistance or outreach to private landowners. Additionally, projects that address nature-based solutions for climate resilience or benefit state or federal wildlife areas are strongly encouraged.
Grants will typically range from $150,000 to $1,000,000, with an expected project period of 24 to 48 months. A 1:1 non-federal match is expected, though applicants unable to meet this requirement may apply for a waiver after consultation with NFWF staff. Competitive proposals will incorporate diverse funding matches, alignment with federal or state conservation programs, and strong community engagement, especially among landowners, tribes, municipalities, and underrepresented groups.
Applications must be submitted through NFWF’s Easygrants system. The full proposal deadline is April 24, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. An informational applicant webinar is available online. Projects will be reviewed between May and August 2025, with award notifications expected by August 2025. Monitoring metrics aligned with the project type must be selected at the time of application from the program’s designated list.
Evaluation will consider alignment with program goals, quantifiable metrics, cost-effectiveness, technical soundness, and the extent of community and partner engagement. Projects must comply with all permitting and regulatory requirements before commencing any habitat-altering activities. Contact information for program staff and support for the Easygrants portal is available in the RFP.
Emphasize focal species benefit, strong partnerships, 1:1+ match, NRCS coordination, and nature-based resilience.
