The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) announced the 2022 Request for Proposals for the America the Beautiful Challenge, a public-private grant program for locally-led and voluntary efforts that invest in ecosystem restoration projects across the nation. 

The $1 Billion initiative is backed by an initial $440 million in federal funds over the next five years mainly through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that passed last year. For the first year, approximately $85 million in grant funding is available. But how do states, Tribes, Territories, and other organizations access this funding to initiate their respective conservation projects?

The Department of Interior’s Implementation Grants and Planning, Collaboration, and Engagement Grants offer plenty of opportunity for New England. Together, they make up a majority of the funding and have no geographic restrictions on projects. The Private Forests, Rangeland, and Farmland Grants funded by the Natural Resources Conservation Service could be a good fit for New England projects that serve to protect certain turtle species that are listed under the Working Lands for Wildlife Framework. The Department of Defense and US Forest Service Grants to Buffer and Benefit Public Lands are less applicable for the New England region unless projects are in close proximity to Sentinel Landscapes or US Forest Service lands. Read below for more information about each grant category to determine which might be the best fit for your proposal. 

Implementation Grants

Key details: This is the largest grant category and it offers the highest individual award size. Grants for land acquisition or easement projects can be accepted as long as the effort is part of a larger restoration or conservation goal. States, Tribes, and Territories are the only entities eligible to receive this grant; however, partnerships with NGOs and localities through subawards are encouraged. 

Project focus: Implementation projects that address program priorities (e.g. benefiting  at-risk fish, wildlife and plant species, expanding habitat connectivity, and expanding public and community access to nature) on public, Tribal, and/or private lands. See the reference guide to review all 10 program priorities. 

  • Department: US Department of Interior
  • Eligible applicants: States, U.S. Territories, and Tribal-affiliated organizations and governments 
  • Geographic focus: National
  • Non-federal cost share (Match): for states: 10% of costs, at least 2.5% must be cash, and for Tribes and Territories: Waived
  • Award size: $1 million-$5 million
  • Project length: Up to four years
  • Other important information: Landscape-scale restoration project requests above $5 million may be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Planning, Collaboration, and Engagement Grants

Key details: Projects receiving this grant must be focused on preserving large-scale landscapes, watersheds, and/or seascapes and must include multiple partners. Similar to the Implementation grants, only  States, Tribes, and Territories can apply to grants in this category and partnerships with NGOs and localities through subawards are encouraged. 

Project Focus: Projects that strengthen local capacity through community-based efforts, partnership building, planning, and project design to implement on-the-ground local projects in the future. 

  • Department: US Department of Interior
  • Eligible applicants: States, U.S. Territories, Tribal governments, and Tribal-affiliated organizations
  • Geographic focus: National
  • Non-federal cost share (match): For States: 10% of costs, at least 2.5% must be cash, and for Tribes and Territories: Waived
  • Award size: $200,000 to $1,000,000
  • Project Size: Up to 1 year

Private Forests, Rangeland, and Farmland Grants

Bog Turtle. Photo Credit: Peeples, Gary, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Key details: While municipalities and non-profits are eligible to receive these grants, the Natural Resources Conservation Service is focusing on private lands that serve the goals of the Working Lands for Wildlife Frameworks. You can explore maps of Working Lands for Wildlife here. New England species such as the Bog Turtle and Northeast turtle are covered within the framework. 

Project focus: Projects that support outreach and engagement with private landowners to advance voluntary conservation efforts on working lands that align with the NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife Framework

  • Department: US Department of Agriculture: Natural Resources Conservation Service
  • Eligibility: Non-profits, local and municipal governments, and educational institutions
  • Geographic focus: Private lands with a focus on implementing Working Lands for Wildlife Frameworks
  • Non-federal cost share (match): 50% of costs, Waived for Tribes
  • Award size: $200,000 – $500,000
  • Project length: 2-3 years 

Grants to Buffer and Benefit Public Lands

Key details: These grants from the Department of Defense and US Forest Service apply to nonprofits and municipalities, however, they are restricted to areas in close proximity to Sentinel landscapes and US Forest Service lands. 

Project focus: Projects that result in direct conservation actions that benefit National Forests and Sentinel Landscapes. US Forest Service funds will support invasive species detection, prevention, and treatments benefiting USFS lands, as well as collaboratively-developed fish passage and water quality projects on Federal and Tribal lands. 

  • Department: Department of Defense, US Forest Service
  • Eligible applicants: Non-profits, local and municipal governments, and educational institutions
  • Geographic focus: Sentinel landscapes and areas that advance military mission; US Forest Service lands or areas benefiting US Forest Service lands, other Tribal and Federal lands
  • Non-federal cost share (match): Department of Defense funds: None; US Forest Service funds: 20% of costs, Waived for Tribes
  • Award size: $200,000-$1.5 million
  • Project length: 2-4 years

The deadline for the first round of applications is July 21st, 2022. Eligible entities interested in applying for grants are encouraged to review the Reference Guide and Webinar from NFWF for more information about the requests for proposals or grant categories. This is expected to be a five-year program, with Request for Proposals being released each Spring. NFWF encourages partnerships across organizations and landscapes, so now is the time to identify potential projects and build partnerships. 

Beau Martinez is Highstead’s Yale Conservation Scholar for the summer of 2022. The Conservation Finance series will continue under the leadership and authorship of Highstead’s Tara Whalen, Manager of Conservation Finance Programs and Jackie Rigley, Conservation Associate.