The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals within the Cumberland Plateau region that will help accelerate the restoration and enhancement of critical forest, grassland, and freshwater habitats and increase the voluntary adoption of conservation practices on working agricultural lands in the region to benefit wildlife and improve soil health, water quantity and quality, and carbon sequestration.
Donor Name: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)
State: Selected States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/13/2023
Size of the Grant: $250,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 24-36 months
Details:
Funding is provided by the USDA’s Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Altria Group, Cargill and International Paper’s Forestland Stewards Partnership. Approximately $2 million is expected to be available for grants this funding cycle.
Priorities
Projects should seek to implement one or more of the strategies below to restore forest and freshwater habitats and implement conservation practices on working agricultural lands, benefitting soil health, water quality, and populations of at-risk, listed and other wildlife species, such as northern bobwhite and prairie warbler, as well as fish, amphibians and other aquatic species. Conservation plans and other resources informing program priorities can be found here.
- Restoring Previously Mined Lands
- Increasing Adoption of Conservation Practices on Agricultural Lands
- Establishing, Enhancing and Maintaining Forest Habitats
- Restoring Instream Habitats to Support Aquatic Species
- Expanding and Coordinating Technical Assistance and Outreach
In addition to the conservation priorities and strategies listed above, applicants are encouraged to describe how projects will achieve the following, if applicable:
- Conservation Co-Benefits
- Community Impact and Engagement
Geographic Focus
Projects within the Cumberland Plateau in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia are eligible with preference given to projects located within the identified focal areas. A PDF map of the Cumberland Plateau Stewardship Fund Program Area and NFWF focal areas. Focal areas were selected by analyzing upland and riparian forest and freshwater systems, and represent locations with the greatest potential for restoration and benefit to priority species. These focal areas are based on resource mapping, interviews with the practitioners in the field, funding sources for this RFP, and capacity to carry out the work.
Funding Information
The Cumberland Plateau Stewardship Fund anticipates awarding approximately $2 million in grants in 2023. Grant awards are expected to range from $250,000 to $500,000.
Project Period
Anticipated completion time for funded projects typically will be 24-36 months following finalization of a grant agreement.
Eligible and Ineligible Entities
- Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c) organizations, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, Tribal Governments and Organizations, and educational institutions.
- Ineligible applicants include U.S. Federal government agencies, businesses, unincorporated individuals, and international organizations. U.S. Federal agencies are encouraged to partner with applicants but are not eligible to submit an application.
Ineligible Uses of Grant Funds
- Equipment: Applicants are encouraged to rent equipment where possible and cost-effective or use matching funds to make those purchases. NFWF acknowledges, however, that some projects may only be completed using NFWF funds to procure equipment. If this applies to your project, please contact the program staff listed in this RFP to discuss options.
- Federal funds and matching contributions may not be used to procure or obtain equipment, services, or systems (including entering into or renewing a contract) that uses telecommunications equipment or services produced by Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities) as a substantial or essential component, or as critical technology of any system.
- NFWF funds and matching contributions may not be used to support political advocacy, fundraising, lobbying, litigation, terrorist activities or Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations.
- NFWF funds may not be used to support ongoing efforts to comply with legal requirements, including permit conditions, mitigation and settlement agreements. However, grant funds may be used to support projects that enhance or improve upon existing baseline compliance efforts.
For more information, visit Cumberland Plateau Stewardship Fund.
