Natural Resources Grants

This funding program provides financial support to state and local governments for projects that enhance public access to parks, protect natural resources, and improve outdoor recreation opportunities, particularly in underserved urban areas.

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 Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), established by Congress in 1965 and permanently funded in 2020, assists governmental units in providing outdoor recreation facilities to meet the increasing demand. In Indiana, the LWCF has allocated around $90 million, benefiting both state and local park projects. The program offers grants covering up to 50% of the costs for acquiring and developing outdoor recreation sites, with a funding range for local applicants between $250,000 and $1 million. Eligible projects include land acquisition, construction, or renovation of public parks and facilities, emphasizing universal access and non-discriminatory public use. Grant renewed every year Grant annual deadline: August 1st

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) offers the Section 319(h) Grant Program to address nonpoint source (NPS) pollution affecting Illinois’ water resources. This program, funded through the Clean Water Act, supports projects that prevent, eliminate, or reduce water quality impairments caused by NPS pollution. Prioritized projects include those implementing approved watershed-based plans or Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Implementation Plans, with activities ranging from BMP implementation to monitoring and outreach efforts. The program encourages applications that demonstrate a comprehensive approach to NPS pollution control and offer sustainable environmental benefits. Grant renewed every year.

This program provides funding to local governments, tribal entities, and nonprofits in Colorado to implement projects that reduce flood and erosion risks following wildfires.

This program provides financial assistance to public entities in Idaho for projects that repair flood-damaged waterways and reduce future flood risks, ensuring community safety and environmental sustainability.

Notice of Funding Opportunity SummaryThe Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is directing resources toward climate-smart agriculture and forestry (CSAF) conservation practices, including those for energy efficiency. NRCS is providing funding for a partnership to provide technical assistance to NRCS and producers on energy practices. Information related to NRCS CSAF practices can be found at the following web address: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2023-10/NRCS-CSAF-Mitigation-Activities-List.pdf.A total of up to $1,500,000 is available in fiscal year 2024. All agreements will be five years in duration. Additional funds may be added to agreement in later years as funds become available. Total funding is dependent on the Federal Budget and technical workload in Ohio. For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.Key DatesApplicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 22, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed. The agency anticipates making selections by June 22, 2024 and expects to execute awards by July 22, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

The Public Education, Participation, and Outreach (PEPO) Grant Program, established in 2022, provides funding for statewide education and outreach initiatives and supports individual coordinators for each of Colorado's basin roundtables. The program aims to enhance public awareness of water issues in line with the Colorado Water Plan and respective Basin Implementation Plans. Grants are available in two categories: funding up to $25,000 for Basin Coordinators to manage education and outreach within their basin, and Statewide Initiatives grants for broader educational projects. Applications require approval from one of the nine basin roundtables and must be submitted through the CWCB Portal. The program supports a wide range of activities, including developing water education campaigns, conducting water awareness surveys, and facilitating statewide or multi-basin outreach efforts. Grant renewed every year. Grant Summer annual deadline: June 1st

The PEPO Statewide Initiatives Grant focuses on funding education and outreach initiatives that have a statewide or multi-basin impact in Colorado. Part of the Public Education, Participation, and Outreach (PEPO) Grant Program established in 2022, this category supports efforts such as developing new statewide education campaigns, conducting statewide water awareness surveys, and creating education materials to bolster public awareness on water issues. These initiatives must demonstrate support across multiple basins and align with priorities of the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), guided by the Colorado Water Plan. This grant category underlines the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing water education and outreach across the state. Grant renewed every year. Grant Summer annual deadline: June 1st

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) is being released prior to appropriation and/or apportionment of funds for fiscal year 2024. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing the potential availability of funding for agreements for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources, addressing local natural resource issues, encouraging collaboration and developing state-and-community-level conservation leadership. Proposals must be for projects based in Texas and focus on conservation priority topics as noted in Section A of this notice. Collaborative projects that provide on-the-ground support for Texas NRCS Field Offices are highly encouraged. Eligible applicants include: City or township governments County governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education) Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education) Private institutions of higher education Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education Special district governments State governments Research proposals will not be accepted, nor considered. For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov. Key Dates Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59pm Eastern Time on May 22, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts. For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed. A webinar for potential applicants will be provided on April 9, 2024, from 10:00am 11:00am Central Standard Time via Microsoft Office Teams. Participation. Meeting participation and additional agreement information will be posted on the NRCS Texas Partners for Conservation website. The agency anticipates making selections by June 15, 2024, and expects to execute awards by September 15, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change. Federal Funding Floor and Ceiling Amounts The estimated funding floor for this opportunity is $25,000, and the estimated funding ceiling is $300,000. The funding floor means the minimum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. The ceiling is the maximum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. These numbers refer to the total agreement amount, not any specific budget period.

This program provides funding to municipalities, nonprofits, and educational institutions in Pennsylvania to safely plug orphaned or abandoned oil and gas wells, addressing environmental and public health risks.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that protect and restore fish and wildlife resources affected by water management activities in Colorado.

This program provides essential financial support to small businesses in Pennsylvania that have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, helping them access working capital to sustain their operations.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) is being released prior to appropriation and/or apportionment of funds for fiscal year 2024. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program. The purpose of this NFO is to encourage and promote conservation planning and conservation practice implementation in urban, suburban, and other small-scale type agricultural operations. Emphasis will be placed on projects that establish new demonstration community gardens, or enhance and expand existing community agriculture projects. Proposals should seek to: 1. Provide conservation learning experiences to urban, suburban, and Tribal communities. 2. Address concerns regarding food deserts. 3. Advance Tribal food sovereignty. 4. Achieve positive and measurable natural resources conservation outcomes. For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov. Key Dates Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 22, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts. For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed. The agency anticipates making selections by June 21, 2024 and expects to execute awards by September 1, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking grant proposals from applicants interested in conducting projects that will benefit some of Washington’s most imperiled wildlife. The Wildlife Diversity Grant Program aims to support recovery actions for a suite of Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) that are state-listed or candidates for listing. Grant funding can also be awarded for projects aimed at collecting data and information on species abundance, distribution, and habitat associations with priority for those whose habitats are under significant threat of incompatible development, land use, or resource management. Funding for the Wildlife Diversity Grant program comes from a significant investment by the state legislature to restore and protect biodiversity in Washington, and the Department expects this funding to be available in future biennia to continue this grant program. Priority Activities for Funding Priority activities include: Implementing recovery and conservation actions for eligible Washington endangered, threatened, sensitive, and candidate species that directly and measurably benefit species populations. These projects contribute to increased species abundance, distribution, population health, or clear abatement of direct threats. Collecting data and information on the abundance, distribution, habitat associations, or natural history of eligible state endangered, threatened, sensitive, and candidate species, with additional priority given toward species whose habitat is under significant pressure from development, land use, or resource management (i.e., shrubsteppe, eastside forest, prairies, and oak woodlands). Completing direct actionable steps toward achieving increased populations of eligible species (e.g., conservation translocation feasibility studies) or baseline data collection (e.g., developing survey protocols or assessing habitat use) for eligible species. Ineligible activities include habitat restoration, conservation easements, land acquisition, outreach and education, and projects that primarily target benefits for species outside the WDFW Wildlife Diversity Division’s scope of responsibility, including fish, aquatic invertebrates, wolves, and harvested wildlife. Review the grant opportunity announcement for more details on priority, eligible, and ineligible activities for inclusion in grant proposals, including a list of eligible species. How to apply Grant applicants must email their complete proposal to WildlifeDiversityGrants@dfw.wa.gov no later than 11:59 pm on May 5, 2024. Please refer to the grant announcement for instructions on the required application components and their formats. Agency contact info Questions and communications concerning this grant opportunity may be directed to: Jenna Judge Wildlife Diversity Assistant Division Manager Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife WildlifeDiversityGrants@dfw.wa.gov

This program provides funding to municipalities, nonprofits, educational institutions, and other organizations to collect and analyze baseline water quality data in areas affected by natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania.

This program provides funding to small and rural communities in Alaska for essential water and sanitation infrastructure projects that have been planned and approved.

Project WINGS is an innovative program aimed at transforming electrical and gas transmission rights-of-ways into vibrant wildlife habitats within Georgia. By providing cash grants of up to $1,500 over three years, along with professional wildlife management advice, the program encourages landowners, leaseholders, hunting clubs, wildlife organizations, and government entities to manage these corridors for the benefit of both non-game and game species. Eligible rights-of-ways include those under Georgia Power, Georgia Transmission, MEAG Power, Savannah Electric, and AGL Resources. Common practices supported by the program include chemical control of exotic plants, planting of annual or perennial plants, and encouraging native vegetation through disking or mowing. Applications for the program are accepted annually from May 15 through July 15 at Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) offices. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual deadline: May 15th to July 15th.

This program provides financial assistance to private forestland owners for restoring trees and forest resources damaged by natural disasters, helping to protect soil, water, and wildlife habitats.

This program provides financial assistance to private landowners in Georgia for forest management practices that help control the Southern Pine Beetle and promote healthy pine forests.