Grants for Independent school districts - Natural Resources

This program provides funding for researchers to develop innovative engineering solutions that protect human and ecological health by addressing pollution and improving environmental quality.

This grant provides funding to organizations in Philadelphia for planting and maintaining trees in underserved neighborhoods to improve green space and community health.

This program provides funding to various organizations, including government entities and nonprofits, to combat invasive species in Michigan through prevention, detection, and management projects.

This grant provides funding for conservation and public access projects in the Coachella Valley, prioritizing initiatives that benefit disadvantaged communities and protect natural resources.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations and local governments for projects that enhance community livability and environmental quality in neighborhoods near the Metro Central transfer facility in Northwest Portland.

The United States Department of the Interior (Department), Bureau of Reclamations (Reclamation) Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program (Program) aims to improve the skill of water supply forecasts via enhancing snow monitoring through the deployment of emerging technologies to complement existing monitoring techniques and networks. This new program was authorized in December 2020 by P.L. 116-260, Sec. 1111, Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program Authorization Act. The program was authorized for FY 2022 -FY 2026.Reservoir operations and related water management decisions rely on estimates of current and future water availability. These estimates depend on technologies to observe basin conditions such as snowpack. In many Western basins, snowpack and subsequent snowmelt runoff constitutes a significant portion of the annual water supply. Accordingly, monitoring snowpack is of great interest to water managers and water users alike. Traditionally, basin snowpack information is based on a sparse network of observing stations across large watersheds. These networks provide high quality information at station locations but extrapolating that information to an entire watershed is a challenge. This challenge, in large part, motivates the Program.As such, the NOFO invites proposals from eligible applicants that are invested in and capable of demonstrating emerging or deploying existing snow monitoring technologies and/or use of snow monitoring data to enhance water supply forecast skill. Considering this and the Acts emphasis on partner agency coordination, strong applications will have partnerships with water management and forecasting entities to facilitate transfer of knowledge, foster use of data in forecasts, and evaluate utility of information for informing water management decisions. This supports Department of the Interior priority of addressing the drought crisis by providing water managers the best available information to inform the management of this scarce and critical resource.In Phase I, applicants submit technical proposals in the required format and length as specified in Section D.2.1.4 Project Proposal as well as with the required content. Submission to Phase I is required for Phase II consideration.Reclamations application review committee (ARC) will select a set of highly qualified applications from Phase I to move to Phase II of the application process. Submission to Phase I is required for Phase II consideration. If the selected applicants are not present for Phase II, their proposals are automatically disqualified from proceeding further and will be ineligible for an award. Phase II will entail a 30-minute virtual (web meeting) project/proposal pitch presentation to a review panel, followed by 20 minutes of question and answer with the review panel. Those selected to advance to Phase II will be notified of the presentation requirements and logistics with a minimum 4 weeks notice.

Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Arizona (AZ) State Office Wildlife Program

This grant provides funding to local public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions in California to enhance boating safety education and training programs.

The Conservancy may fund activities within or benefitting the Delta and Suisun Marsh as defined in Public Resources Code section 85058 (a map can be found at this link: https://www.deltacouncil.ca.gov/pdf/delta-plan/figure-1-1-delta-boundaries.pdf). The Conservancy may fund an action outside the Delta and Suisun Marsh if the Board makes all the findings described in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Reform Act of 2009 (CWC, div. 35, §§ 85000 – 85350). The Conservancy will fund planning projects, which include pilot projects. Allowable activities for planning projects include, but are not limited to, project scoping (partnership development, outreach to impacted parties, stakeholder coordination, negotiation of site access or land tenure); planning and design (engineering design, identifying appropriate best management practices); and environmental compliance (permitting, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) activities, Delta Plan consistency). The Conservancy will fund implementation projects, which include acquisition projects. Implementation projects are specific, on-the-ground projects that result in the construction, improvement, or acquisition of a capital asset that will be maintained for a minimum of 15 years. Implementation projects are "shovel-ready" projects. Applicants must submit a concept proposal, as found on the Conservancy’s website, before submitting a full proposal. Partnerships are encouraged but not required. There are no limitations on number of submissions by organizations. Applications are received via email for concept proposals and by uploading files to a designated site for full proposals. Awards are announced at a Board Meeting and applicants are informed with a letter.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that protect and restore aquatic habitats and water resources on public lands in Idaho, prioritizing ecological health and community engagement, particularly for underserved populations.

The Illinois EPA is seeking proposals for projects aimed at addressing nonpoint source (NPS) pollution to enhance the quality of Illinois' surface and groundwater. Funded through the Clean Water Act's Section 319(h), this program supports the development and implementation of watershed-based planning projects. These projects may include creating new watershed-based plans, updating existing plans, providing technical assistance for NPS pollution control, and conducting environmental and social indicator monitoring. The goal is to prevent, eliminate, or reduce water quality impairments through strategic planning and community engagement. Grant renewed every year.

The U.S. Standard Grants Program is a competitive, matching grant program that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the United States that further the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. The program promotes partnerships projects that must involve a) only long-term protection, restoration, enhancement and/or establishment of wetland and associated upland habitats to benefit diversity of wetland ecosystems and b) maintaining an abundance of waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans) and other populations of wetlands-associated migratory birds consistent with the objectives of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, Waterbird Conservation Plan for the Americas, and Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plan. The program requires a 1:1 non-federal match and research funding is ineligible. This program supports the Department of Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service mission of protecting and managing the nation natural resources by collaborating with partners and stakeholders to conserve land and water and to expand outdoor recreation and access. Also, this program contributes to efforts to reduce climate pollution, support climate resilience, support land conservation and biodiversity efforts and leverage partnerships.

The IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management National Operations Center (NOC) Forest and Woodlands Resource Management grant aims to fund projects that enhance wildfire resilience, promote sustainable forest management and bioenergy through biomass utilization, with a focus on restoring forest and woodland ecosystems, supporting sustainable wood products, reforestation, and salvaging dead or dying timber, offering between $25,000 to $500,000 per project, with a total fund of $800,000 available, and applications are due by September 30, 2024.

This grant provides funding to a wide range of organizations, including governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions, to promote recreational fishing and boating, enhance public engagement, and support conservation efforts across the United States.

Grant Opportunity: Parcel Assessment and Strategy Development for Permanent Preservation in the South Branch Flint River - Description: This grant opportunity supports a deeper analysis of two parcels totaling 1200 acres in the upper Flint River Basin. The analysis includes on-the-ground ecosystem assessment, habitat delineation, mapping, valuation/appraisal, title search, and overall environmental evaluation. The goal is to prepare for making an offer and potential campaign to acquire the properties or a conservation easement. - Eligibility: Open to organizations of all types across the USA seeking grant opportunities. Grant Opportunity: Shiatown Park Improvement Readiness - Description: This grant opportunity supports various improvements at Shiatown Park along the Shiawassee River. Funding will be used for wetlands determination and assessment, installation of park boundary and trail markers, historic interpretive signage, floodplain determination, and enhancing community resilience. - Eligibility: Open to organizations of all types across the USA seeking grant opportunities. Grant Opportunity: Gladwin City Park FAA Site Invasive Species Eradication and Habitat Restoration - Description: This grant opportunity supports the restoration and revitalization of a 1.3 acre section of land near Gladwin City Park. Funding will be used for invasive species eradication, habitat restoration, benches, plantings along the trail, interpretive signage, and educational components. - Eligibility: Open to organizations of all types across the USA seeking grant opportunities. (Note: The breakdowns for other grant opportunities are not included due to character limitations.)

This funding opportunity is designed to support citizen science projects that enhance federal fisheries stock assessments and improve understanding of climate change impacts on fish stocks and fishing communities.

This grant provides funding for projects that enhance watershed resilience, grasslands, sagebrush rangelands, and big game habitats across Colorado, targeting non-profits, local governments, and educational institutions.

This grant provides funding for projects that restore and manage forests on National Forest System lands, benefiting local economies and reducing wildfire risks while promoting ecological health.

This funding opportunity supports projects aimed at reducing nonpoint source pollution in Pennsylvania's watersheds, particularly in Environmental Justice Areas, by improving water quality through initiatives like agricultural runoff control and urban stormwater management.

Federal Awarding Agency Name: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Funding Opportunity Title: Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2024 Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NRCS-NHQ-RCPPAFA-24-NOFO0001355 Assistance Listing: 10.932, Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Due Date: NRCS must receive proposals by 4:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 12, 2024. Note: The RCPP AFA and Classic FY 2024 notices of funding opportunity (NFO) will run concurrently. For information on Classic proposals please see USDA-NRCS-NHQ-RCPP-24-NOFO0001354. The RCPP promotes the coordination of NRCS conservation activities with partners that offer valueadded contributions to expand our ability to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns. Through the RCPP, NRCS seeks to co-invest with partners to implement projects that provide solutions to conservation challenges thereby measurably improving the resource concerns they seek to address. RCPP promotes collaboration with partners, stakeholders, and various communities, which is paramount to achieving equity in NRCS programs and services. Using guidance contained in this notice, partners propose projects that generate conservation benefits by addressing specific natural resource concerns in a state or multistate area or by addressing one or more priority resource concerns within an NRCS-designated critical conservation area (CCA). NRCS and partners collaborate to design, promote, and implement RCPP projects on agricultural and nonindustrial private forest land. Through RCPP, NRCS may provide both financial assistance (FA) and technical assistance (TA) funds to project partners and agricultural producers for implementing projects. RCPP proposals are evaluated through a competitive proposal process based on three criteria: impact, partner contributions, and partnership and management. Up to $1.5 billion is available for RCPP projects through this announcement and the FY 2024 Classic announcement, which includes $300 million of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) funding and $1.2 billion of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding. Proposals will be accepted from all 50 States, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), and U.S. territories in the Pacific Island Areas (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). NRCS will prioritize using IRA funds for projects that will implement climate-smart agriculture and forestry conservation activities as described in section F.3.a. of this announcement. Up to $100 million is being made available specifically for NRCS to enter into programmatic partnership agreements with Indian tribes. This set aside will be shared by this announcement and the FY 2024 Classic announcement. Any unused funds may be available for other partnership agreements. RCPP AFAs are intended to support project structures and approaches that cannot be carried out as effectively through the RCPP Classic NFO. RCPP AFA applicants must describe the innovative nature of the conservation approach they are proposing to justify potential funding through an RCPP AFA NFO rather than an RCPP Classic NFO. Moreover, applicants should consider the additional administrative and technical assistance responsibilities that accompany receipt of an RCPP AFA award. The 2018 Farm Bill provides the following examples of project types that might be implemented through RCPP AFA: projects that use innovative approaches to leverage the Federal investment in conservation; projects that deploy a pay-for-performance conservation approach; and projects that seek large-scale infrastructure investments that generate conservation benefits for agricultural producers and nonindustrial private forest owners. Although RCPP AFA provides flexibilities to partners, these projects share the overarching focus of RCPP, which is to engage with producers and landowners to implement conservation practices, systems, and approaches on (or for the benefit of) agricultural and nonindustrial private forest lands. NRCS can make up to 15 awards through this funding opportunity through Farm Bill funding. This limit does not apply to projects funded through the Inflation Reduction Act. Submissions: Proposals must be submitted through the RCPP portal. See section E of this announcement for information on using the RCPP portal to submit proposals. Access to the RCPP portal requires a level 2 eAuthentication credential or a Login.gov credential. Obtaining a new Login.gov credential involves multiple steps and can take several days to complete. Instructions are posted on the How to Apply to RCPP web page listed below. For More Information: Applicants are expected to contact the appropriate state conservationists and state RCPP coordinators prior to submitting a proposal. NRCS will use a state conservation questionnaire to record the results of these conversations. Proposals without a completed questionnaire may have their score and ranking reduced. A list of state RCPP coordinators (as of the date of this announcements posting) is on the NRCS How to Apply to RCPP web page. Applicants can also email the RCPP inbox (rcpp@usda.gov) with any questions about the announcement. The NRCS RCPP website is also a great source of current information about the program. Interested applicants are encouraged to participate in one or more of the webinars below to learn about the program and how to apply. 2024 RCPP NFO Applicant Outreach Webinar This webinar will provide general information for applicants submitting proposals for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The same material will be covered at both webinars followed by a question-and-answer section. Please refer to the RCPP website for more information. Regional Conservation Partnership Program Natural Resources Conservation Service (usda.gov) April 23, 2024, RCPP Applicant Outreach Webinar Registration Link 2pm to 4pm EDT - https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/e2f45f75-7ea4-410b-b1c9-567537cd2454@ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697 May 30, 2024, RCPP Applicant Outreach Webinar Registration Link 2pm to 4pm EDT - https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/226dcb51-0b57-43b1-b340-95e535238713@ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697 NRCS will schedule additional webinars on RCPP easements and providing outreach to tribal applicants. Information on all webinars will be posted to the RCPP how to apply page.