Federal Natural Resources Grants

San Clemente Island (SCI) is uniquely capable of supporting integrated training and, as such, is a highly valuable, irreplaceable asset to the Navy. In addition to its direct training support value, its proximity to southern California allows sailors and marines to effectively train in closer proximity to their families and support networks, increasing quality of life and force sustainability. The Navy is required to ensure ecosystem management is the basis for all management of its lands (Sikes Act, as amended [16 USC 670a]; DoD Instruction 4715.03). While the Sikes Act, as amended, and other instructions, described above, require stewardship for natural resources on military installations, including species not listed under the Endangered Species Act, these projects support the military mission on SCI and do not foreclose current or future training opportunities. San Clemente Island (SCI) harbors large numbers of endemic organisms, several of which are listed as endangered or threatened by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The U.S. Navy, in accordance with the ESA and the Federal Noxious Weed Act, has an ongoing program to preserve the unique botanical resources and ecosystem of San Clemente Island. Brief Description of the Anticipated Work: 1. Grassland Restoration Native grasslands on SCI have been significantly impacted from historic grazing by non-native ungulates, invasion of non-native species, and drastic changes in the fire regime. In addition, increased training activity may present additional challenges for avoiding further impacts. Previous efforts on SCI have demonstrated the difficulty in achieving large-scale restoration of grasslands due to challenges associated with range access, site selection, and restrictions on ground disturbance. Recent efforts have been focused on identifying the most efficient and effective strategies for achieving small-scale restoration with long-term benefits. The purpose of this task is to further study the best methods for achieving successful grassland restoration on SCI, continue monitoring previous restoration efforts to evaluate long-term success, and integrate grassland restoration efforts with habitat management for other native species of conservation concern. 2. Habitat Restoration for Poa thomasii Poa thomasii, an annual grass species known only from three of the California Channel Islands, had not been recorded since being collected on San Clemente Island in 1903 and was presumed extinct. In July 2005, the species was located on Catalina Island at seven separate sites, primarily located in chaparral, across the island. This species is historically an integral component of SCI habitat that was lost due to the introduction of non-native plant and animal species. In 2010, the species was found in two locations on SCI in boxthorn habitat at the northern end of the island. Both locations on SCI are within areas that are used for training and subject to occasional fire. Previous work on Poa thomasii on SCI has been successful in improving the status of the species in terms of population numbers and improved habitat. Because this species was thought to be extinct, it has not been listed under ESA. The SCI Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) states an objective for the Navy to manage the species in such a way as to keep it from being listed. The INRMP notes that due to its restricted distribution on SCI, and those occurrences being located in areas of high human activity, the species is particularly vulnerable to local extinction. The purpose of this task is to increase the population size and resilience of Poa thomasii through propagation, outplanting, habitat restoration, and seed bulking, as well as monitoring natural occurrences and previous outplanting sites to evaluate population trends. 3. Population augmentation for Malva assurgentiflora ssp. glabra Malva assurgentiflora ssp. glabra is a perennial shrub native to the California Channel Islands. On SCI, the population was heavily impacted by non-native herbivores and likely would have been federally listed under ESA if the Navy had not proactively managed the species through propagation and outplanting. Recent genetic work may result in reclassification of the subspecies on SCI to a new species endemic to the island. In this case, it would become even more important to continue efforts to augment populations and manage population genetics to avoid listing under ESA. The purpose of this task is to increase the population size and resilience of Malva assurgentiflora ssp. glabra through propagation, outplanting, habitat restoration, and seed bulking, as well as monitoring natural occurrences and previous outplanting sites to evaluate population trends and genetic integrity. 4. Rare Plant Surveys Annual rare plant surveys are essential to document the status, distribution, and long term trends of species of conservation concern. Updating the rare plant database on an annual basis allows the Navy to stay in compliance with conservation measures, avoid listing under ESA, and make informed decisions about proposed changes to land use and infrastructure maintenance/construction. The purpose of this task is to collect monitoring data for species of conservation concern and assess the long term trends of these species on SCI. 5. Draft and Final Technical Report: The draft and final preliminary report shall be submitted in accordance with Section J. Submittals and Schedules. The report shall be in scientific format and include the following: 1) Title page showing title, date, cooperative agreement number, Pacific Fleet Representative and Cooperative Agreement Technical Representative contact information; 2) Sub-title page showing title, prepared by and for listings, date and recommended citation; 3) Table of contents; 4) Abstract or Executive Summary; 5) Introduction; 6) Methods; 7) Results; 8) Discussion; 9) Conclusions (to include synthesis with previous work and recommendations for future study); 10) Legible copies of the field notes, data forms and other information.

The US Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District (USACE) intends to enter into a cooperative agreement with a non-Federal public entity or nonprofit organization for land stewardship and restoration services on USACE land at the Bonneville Lock and Dam in Skamania County, WA and Multnomah County, OR. This cooperative agreement will assist Portland District in fulfilling environmental stewardship responsibilities consisting of restoration and management of native and historic landscapes and wildlife habitat while providing education and training opportunities to the recipients participants in the local communities around Bonneville Lock and Dam. These education and training opportunities exist through the need for natural resource and maintenance services on public lands within Bonneville Lock and Dams jurisdiction. The goals and objectives of this cooperative agreement are for the implementation of best natural resources management practices with regards to environmental stewardship, high and low density recreation areas, and operations/facilities maintenance. Environmental and maintenance training opportunities include but are not limited to: Vegetation Management Vegetation PlantingPark and Trail MaintenanceLitter RemovalTrail Construction and Maintenance This cooperative agreement will be awarded pursuant to 33 USC 2339 Conservation and Recreation Management. The recipient for this cooperative agreement must be a qualified non-Federal public entity or nonprofit organization that serves low security inmates and/or individuals executing community service sentences within the Skamania County, WA, Clark County, WA, Hood River, OR and/or Multnomah County, OR correctional system, and has experience in land stewardship and restoration using small work crews supervised by experienced leaders so that ecological concepts can be accurately conveyed to work crew and leaders.

The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program provides competitive grants to local governments, Indian Tribes, and qualified nonprofits to acquire threatened private forest land for public access and community benefits, such as recreation and environmental conservation.

This funding opportunity supports a variety of organizations in conducting research and restoration projects that improve fish and wildlife resources in the Great Lakes Basin.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to various government entities, nonprofits, and educational institutions for projects that protect and restore California's aquatic resources and ecosystems, particularly benefiting underserved and indigenous communities.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)s Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil and Plant Science Division (NRCS SPSD), is announcing the potential availability of funding for agreements for the purposes of supporting cooperative research in soil science and soil survey. The purpose of the 2024 Soil Survey Cooperative Research Proposals is to promote research that informs and improves soil survey. Each proposal must include significant collaboration with soil survey personnel (such as those at the National Soil Survey Center, MLRA Soil Survey or Regional offices). The proposals deliverables and their connection to soil survey must be clearly explained. Extra consideration will be given to proposals that include Dynamic Soil Survey research support, with close collaboration with National Soil Survey Center Research Soil Scientists. The work should have national or broad regional application to fill gaps in soil survey databases, provide new approaches to collecting or interpreting soil survey data, and/or address emerging issues in the national research priority areas.The FY24 research priorities were developed through meetings of the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) Research Priorities Committee and in conjunction with NRCS and SPSD priorities. We expect to fund approximately up to $3,000,000 of cooperative research depending on funding availability. Eligibility is limited to institutions of higher education in the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network CESU National Network. Proposals are requested for competitive consideration of awards for projects 2-3 years in duration. The estimated funding floor for this opportunity is $50,000 and the estimated funding ceiling is $500,000.Proposal topics should address emerging issues within at least one of three nationally relevant areas of soil survey research:Dynamic Soil Properties (DSPs) and Soil Change Investigation of DSPs not currently accounted for in evaluations of soil change at decadal time scales. Assessments of DSPs for forest soils. Creation of digital soil mapping models for predicting DPSs through space and time.Methods of Soil Hydrology Development of new field and laboratory methods that could be added to soil survey. Expansion of existing methods for characterizing soil hydraulic properties (e.g., water retention, hydraulic conductivity), including those that can be gathered from existing soil survey data. Enhancing communication of hydrologic toolsets and data to product users, especially non-soil scientists.Expansion of Datasets Leveraging existing NRCS and non-NRCS datasets to expand the reach of soil survey (e.g., deeper depths, spatial gaps). Developing an online mapping tool or repository of soil survey projects, which could include major outcomes and generated datasets. Enhancing the compatibility of non-NRCS datasets (e.g., National Ecological Observatory Network, Molecular Observation Network, U.S. Geological Surveys National Geothermal Data System) with soil survey data.All proposals must include a data management plan and all data and deliverables must be made publicly available per USDA regulations - https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/dr- 1020-006.pdf.More information on NCSS regions including maps and contacts is available at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/natural-resource-concerns/soil/contacts.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 July 8, 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 July 22, 2024, and expects to execute awards by September 30, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.Federal Funding Floor and Ceiling AmountsThe estimated funding floor for this opportunity is $50,000, and the estimated funding ceiling is $500,000. 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.Federal Financial Assistance TrainingThe funding available through this NFO is Federal financial assistance. Grants 101 Training is highly recommended for those seeking knowledge about Federal financial assistance. The training is free and available to the public via https://www.cfo.gov/resources/federal-financial-assistance-training/. It consists of five modules covering each of the following topics: 1) laws, regulations, and guidance; 2) financial assistance mechanisms; 3) uniform guidance administrative requirements; 4) cost principles; and 5) risk management and single audit. FPAC agencies also apply Federal financial assistance regulations to certain non-assistance awards (e.g., non-assistance cooperative agreements).

This funding opportunity is designed to support shoreline restoration projects at a military facility in Maryland, focusing on erosion control and habitat enhancement to improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay.

This funding opportunity provides financial assistance to rural communities and nonprofit organizations for repairing and improving water infrastructure damaged by federally declared disasters in 2022.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that install and maintain technologies to intercept and remove marine debris, benefiting coastal habitats and marine resources.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that improve forest and woodland health, enhance wildfire resilience, and promote sustainable timber and biomass use across western states and Alaska, targeting local governments, tribes, nonprofits, and educational institutions.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state and local governments, Native American tribes, educational institutions, and non-profits in Idaho for projects that improve forest and woodland health, resilience, and sustainability.

This funding opportunity is designed to support universities, research institutions, and private sector organizations in developing advanced carbon capture technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power generation and industrial sources.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that improve fish passage and reduce fish mortality related to irrigation diversions in Pacific Ocean drainage areas, targeting a variety of organizations including governments, nonprofits, and tribal entities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that remove barriers to fish migration, benefiting local communities and ecosystems, particularly in underserved areas.

The IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management National Operations Center (NOC) Wildlife Resource Management grant aims to fund projects by state, local, and tribal governments, nonprofits, and higher education institutions that focus on wildlife habitat restoration, connectivity, and climate resilience on public lands, with a total of $800,000 available for individual awards ranging from $25,000 to $500,000, and applications due by September 30, 2024.

The "IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management National Operations Center (NOC) Threatened and Endangered Species Program" grant offers funding between $25,000 and $500,000 to government agencies, educational institutions, and nonprofits for projects aimed at conserving, recovering, and reducing threats to federally listed and BLM sensitive species on public lands, with a total of $800,000 available and a deadline of September 30, 2024.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that promote the conservation and restoration of native plants and ecosystems on public lands in Wyoming, particularly benefiting underrepresented communities and enhancing biodiversity.

This grant provides funding to various organizations and governments in New Mexico to support the conservation and restoration of native plant species and habitats, particularly for sensitive ecosystems and underrepresented communities.

This grant provides funding for projects that utilize aerial LiDAR technology to improve snowpack monitoring and water supply forecasts in the Western United States, targeting a variety of eligible applicants including governments, educational institutions, and non-profits.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state and local governments, educational institutions, tribal organizations, and nonprofits in Colorado for projects that promote forest health and sustainability, addressing issues like wildfires, insect outbreaks, and habitat conservation.