Fish Habitat Grants, Due Feb 12

US Fish & Wildlife has announced that the Great Lakes Basin Fish Habitat Partnership (Partnership) received funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to complete on-the-ground fish habitat projects. The Partnership recognizes that most work to protect, restore and enhance fish habitat will be done at the local level by local watershed associations, municipalities, tribes, states and non-governmental organizations. The Partnership will work with organizations to encourage local conservation actions that fit within the Partnership’s Strategic Plan priorities. Up to $1 million will be available for habitat projects. A “project” is defined as an action that will protect, restore or enhance Great Lakes fish habitat. Project proposals will be compiled, ranked by a subcommittee of the Partnership and submitted to the Partnership’s Steering Committee for review. These funds are available through a portion of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative allocation, so the Service will be responsible for making final funding decisions.

Focus areas for 2010 funding are:

1) Fish habitat protection and restoration, specific to one or more of the following: a) Tributary stream restoration or protection to improve fish and aquatic species passage, riparian habitat, large woody debris, water temperatures, natural stream flow functions, or natural stream channel form; b) Coastal and connecting channel wetland restoration, enhancement and protection; c) Connecting channel restoration or protection to improve fish and aquatic species passage and/or riparian habitat.

2) Inventory and assessment of habitats in local watersheds that will lead directly to future on-the-ground projects. We will limit funding for the second focus area to no more than 25 percent of available project funds.

Eligible applicants include:

State governments

County governments

City or township governments

Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

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 Private institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Expected Number of Awards:
12
Estimated Total Program Funding:
$1,000,000
Award Ceiling:
$500,000
Award Floor:
$10,000

There is no cost sharing or matching requirement. Contact us for more information!

Migratory Bird Habitat Grants, Due Nov 2

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has opened its grant application process for migratory bird habitat conservation. Applications should be geared toward habitat for neotropical migratory birds. These birds include herons, egrets, hawks, plovers, sandpipers, and more. http://www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/Grants/NMBCA/BirdList.shtm

What is a neotropical migratory bird?
For the purposes of this program, a neotropical migratory bird is one that breeds in or migrates through the United States, at least to some extent, and spends the non-breeding season in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, or South America. Birds from all taxa are included, so that proposals may benefit land birds, waterbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl, raptors, and others.

Who may apply?
An individual, corporation, partnership, trust, association, or other private entity;
An officer, employee, agent, department, or instrumentality of the Federal Government, state, municipality, or political subdivision of a state, or of any foreign government;
A state, municipality, or political subdivision of a state;
Any other entity subject to the jurisdiction of the United States or of any foreign country; or
An international organization.

Where may a project be located?
Project activities may be carried out in the USA, in Canada, or in any country or territory in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Should projects with activities in the USA coordinate with a Joint Venture?
For projects with activities in the USA, we strongly encourage applicants to contact the Migratory Bird Joint Venture (JV) where the project activities are planned. Proposals with activities that are coordinated with a JV will be more competitive.

Upper Mississippi River/Great Lakes Joint Venture
States: Eastern MN and IA, counties in KS, NE, and IA bordering the Missouri River, all of MI, IL, IN, OH, WI, and northern MO
Barbara Pardo, Joint Venture Coordinator
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
One Federal Drive
Fort Snelling, MN 55111-4056

Paul Richert, Assistant Joint Venture Coordinator
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
One Federal Drive
Fort Snelling, MN 55111-4056

Greg Soulliere, Science Coordinator
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
2651 Coolidge Rd., Suite 101
East Lansing, MI 48837

Bradly Potter, GIS Technician
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
2651 Coolidge Rd., Suite 101
East Lansing, MI 48837

What kinds of projects are eligible?
Protection and management of neotropical migratory bird populations;
Maintenance, management, protection, and restoration of neotropical migratory bird habitat;
Research and monitoring;
Law enforcement; and
Community outreach and education.

Can project funds be used for environmental mitigation?
While eligible, a proposal for such work would be considered lower priority. NMBCA is interested in funding new conservation work that results in a net gain for conservation.

What is the duration of a grant?
The funding period is typically two years. A grant project period starts on the date on which the grant is awarded, which typically occurs within 3 months after the selected grants are announced.

What are the match requirements?
Federal funds (i.e., fund from the USA government) requested under the Act must be matched 3:1 by non-Federal funds. That is, for every Federal dollar, a minimum of three non-Federal dollars are required