F25AS00379 Highlands Conservation Act - Base Funding Round

The Highlands Conservation Act Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a bureau within the U.S. Department of the Interior, to support land conservation efforts across the Highlands Region. This region spans portions of Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania and is recognized for its ecological significance, including forests, water resources, agricultural lands, and wildlife habitats. The program is authorized under the Highlands Conservation Act and is designed to assist state and local governments in preserving lands that provide public and environmental benefits. The primary purpose of the funding opportunity is to facilitate the acquisition of land or interests in land from willing sellers to conserve high-value natural resources. These projects must align with broader conservation goals such as protecting drinking water supplies, enhancing recreational opportunities, preserving agricultural and forest lands, and safeguarding wildlife habitat. The program supports initiatives that demonstrate measurable conservation outcomes, particularly in terms of acreage preserved and associated ecological or public benefits. Funding under this opportunity is provided through grants, with a total estimated program funding of over nine million dollars and approximately four awards anticipated. Each eligible state may request up to fifty percent of the total project cost, with a maximum federal contribution per award capped at just over two million dollars. A mandatory cost-sharing requirement of fifty percent non-federal funding applies, meaning applicants must secure matching funds from state, local, or other non-federal sources. Allowable costs primarily include land acquisition expenses and associated transaction costs such as appraisals, surveys, and title work, as well as limited administrative expenses. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is restricted to state governments within the four designated Highlands states. Specifically, only the Lead State Agency designated by each state’s Governor may submit an application. These agencies may distribute funds through subawards to counties, municipalities, or other conservation entities within the Highlands Region. Projects must be located within the defined Highlands Region or an approved expansion area and must demonstrate conservation of at least one resource of high value, such as water, forest, agricultural, wildlife, recreational, or cultural resources. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov or GrantSolutions and includes several mandatory components such as the SF-424 application form, budget forms, a project abstract, and a detailed project narrative. The narrative must outline the need, purpose, objectives, expected results, approach, and location of the proposed land acquisition, along with stakeholder involvement and organizational capacity. Applications are subject to an eligibility review followed by a merit review, where projects are evaluated based on conservation value, alignment with federal priorities, and overall feasibility. The application deadline is October 31, 2026, with submissions required by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Awards are expected to be announced in September 2026, and the anticipated project start date is January 1, 2027. Projects may have a period of performance of up to four years. The program operates on a recurring basis with separate funding rounds, including base and competitive opportunities, although applicants may not submit the same project to both rounds simultaneously. For inquiries, applicants may contact the program representative via email or phone as provided in the notice.

Ensure the project clearly demonstrates high conservation value with quantifiable benefits; align proposal with federal and Department of Interior priorities; provide strong justification for land acquisition and detailed parcel-level data; ensure budget reflects required 1:1 match and allowable costs; include clear mapping and location documentation