Washington Natural Resources Grants

This funding opportunity supports initiatives by governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions in Oregon and Washington to conserve native plant biodiversity and restore habitats, with a focus on climate resilience and community engagement.

The U.S. Department of the Interior's WaterSMART Title XVI Program offers financial and technical assistance for the planning, design, and construction of water reclamation and reuse projects, aiming to secure future water supplies, improve efficiency, support underserved communities, and address climate change.

This grant provides funding to agricultural professionals and organizations in the Western U.S. to implement educational and demonstration projects that promote the adoption of sustainable farming practices based on previous research findings.

This funding opportunity is designed for research institutions within the Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit to investigate deep-sea volcanic systems and hydrothermal environments in the Aleutian Island Arc, enhancing understanding of submarine volcanism and its environmental impacts.

This grant provides funding to various organizations, including governments and nonprofits, to restore and protect aquatic ecosystems and water resources in Oregon and Washington, promoting climate resilience and public benefits.

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office administers the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program to acquire recreation and habitat lands and to develop recreation areas for the state’s growing population. The program supports local and state parks, trails, water access, and restoration on state lands to enhance public outdoor recreation. Funding is available across categories such as Local Parks acquisition and development, State Lands development and renovation, and Water Access and Trails in accordance with program rules. Typical projects include buying land for parks, developing athletic complexes, renovating community parks, building regional trails and waterfront facilities, and developing state lands. Local Parks awards may reach 1,000,000 dollars for acquisition or combination projects, with up to 500,000 dollars for development costs, and 500,000 dollars for development only. State Lands development and renovation awards range from 25,000 to 325,000 dollars. Eligible applicants vary by category and include cities, counties, towns, federally recognized tribes, special purpose and port districts, and state agencies as specified in the program guidance. Eligible costs include land acquisition through perpetual or long term interests and a wide range of development features such as buildings, campgrounds, play areas, restrooms, roads and paths, and interpretive elements, subject to category rules. Applications are submitted through the state’s process by May 1, 2024. Grant duration is not stated. Proposals are assessed for alignment with category requirements and public benefit. Official information is available from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.

The Green Transportation Capital Grant Program, administered by the Washington State Department of Transportation, aims to fund cost-effective capital projects for transit authorities. Its core mission is to reduce the carbon intensity of Washington's transportation system, aligning with broader climate action efforts supported by the state's Climate Commitment Act (CCA). The CCA's strategic priority is to decrease climate pollution, create jobs, and enhance public health, making this grant a direct mechanism to achieve these goals by investing in sustainable transportation solutions. The primary beneficiaries of this program are transit agencies within Washington state, including various city, county, metropolitan, public, unincorporated, regional, and special purpose district transit systems. The impact goals are centered on transforming public transportation infrastructure to be more environmentally friendly. This includes the electrification of transit vehicle fleets and the development of necessary supporting infrastructure, such as charging and fueling stations, and associated electrical system upgrades. The program prioritizes capital projects that directly contribute to fleet electrification and the transition to zero-emission transportation. Eligible projects encompass the acquisition of battery and fuel cell-operated electric vehicles, modification of facilities for electrification or hydrogen refueling, and the construction of new facilities that primarily support electrified fleets. Additionally, it covers essential upgrades to electrical transmission and distribution systems, in-house staff managing capital construction, and property rights acquisition for these projects. The expected outcomes and measurable results include a significant reduction in carbon emissions from the Washington transportation sector, directly contributing to the state's climate goals. Historically, the program has awarded between $12 million and $50 million per biennium, indicating a substantial investment in achieving these outcomes. The project period for most applications is two years (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027), with construction projects potentially extending to four years, allowing for tangible progress in transitioning to green transportation.

This program provides funding to municipalities, park districts, tribes, and nonprofits in Pierce County to preserve open spaces and enhance community recreational areas.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for conservation projects aimed at protecting and recovering endangered and threatened species across the United States, targeting eligible applicants such as state and local governments, educational institutions, tribal organizations, and nonprofits.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for conservation projects that engage and develop career skills for youth aged 16–30, with a focus on underserved communities and collaboration with tribal organizations.

This grant provides funding for organizations to conduct sea turtle nesting surveys and conservation efforts at Wake Island Airfield, specifically targeting members of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units in the Pacific Northwest, Hawaii-Pacific Islands, or California.

This grant provides funding to organizations and event planners for innovative projects that attract visitors to Snohomish, particularly those that encourage overnight stays and boost the local economy during the off-season.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in the Pacific Northwest for innovative projects focused on environmental conservation, preservation, and restoration efforts.

This funding opportunity supports local and state agencies, Native American tribes, and nonprofit organizations in developing and renovating boating facilities for recreational vessels 26 feet or longer, enhancing access to waterways for visiting boaters.

This program provides financial support to farmers and ranchers in California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington for implementing regenerative agricultural practices that enhance soil health and sequester carbon.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments and federally recognized tribes in Washington State to enhance land use planning that protects and restores salmon habitats.

This program provides funding for individuals, businesses, and community groups in Pierce County, Washington, to implement small-scale green infrastructure projects that reduce stormwater pollution and improve local water quality.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for a variety of clean energy projects in Washington state, prioritizing initiatives that benefit overburdened communities and enhance grid resilience.

This grant provides funding for local non-profits and government entities on Whidbey Island to implement projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability in the community.

This grant provides funding for conservation projects that restore and enhance habitats for monarch butterflies and other native pollinators, targeting nonprofit organizations, government entities, tribal groups, and educational institutions.