The California Natural Resources Agency has just published draft Guidelines for a new Proposition 68 Green Infrastructure grant. This program has $18.5 million dollars to invest in projects which accomplish at least one of the following:

1. Improve a community’s ability to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change.
2. Improve and protect coastal and rural economies, agricultural viability, wildlife corridors or habitat.
3. Develop future recreational opportunities.
4. Enhance drought tolerance, landscape resilience, and water retention.

Projects must be located in or benefit disadvantaged or severely disadvantaged communities.

The examples provided in the Guidelines include:

• Establishment, enhancement, and expansion of neighborhood parks and community spaces.
• Tree-canopy/shade trees.
• Greening of public lands and structures, including schoolyards.
• Multi-objective stormwater projects, including construction of permeable surfaces, collection basins and barriers.
• Bioswales and rain gardens to mitigate stormwater runoff.
• Green streets and alleyways.
• River, creek and stream restoration.
• Community or outdoor education gardens and orchards.
• Non-motorized trails that provide safe routes for travel between residences, workplaces, commercial centers, and schools.
• Heat island mitigation and energy conservation efforts through landscaping and green roof projects.
• Acquisitions to preserve in perpetuity land for agricultural uses, open space, wetlands, etc.
• Creation or restoration of existing wetlands, recharge ponds, floodplain, or riparian corridors.

The draft deadline for applications is June 28. The Resources Agency will be holding three public hearings on the Guidelines in early March. See the website for details.

Sierra Nevada Conservancy

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES NEWSLETTER

January-February 2019

 Funding Research Memos for fuel reduction, parks and trails, habitat preservation, environmental education, and other program areas are available on the SNC funding opportunities webpage. This is a great way to find funding opportunities for your projects!

Upcoming Grants that Might be of Interest:

• The State Water Resources Control Board’s Nonpoint Source Grant Program (due December 18, 2018) funds projects that address problems in impaired waters and that implement forest management measures to improve water quality.
• CAL FIRE Fire Prevention Grants (due December 19, 2018) aim to reduce the risk of wildland fires to habitable structures and communities, while maximizing carbon sequestration in healthy wildland habitat.
• The Community Development Block Grant Program for Indian Tribes (due January 7, 2019) provides funding for developing viable Indian communities, including decent housing, a suitable living environment, and economic opportunities.
• The US Forest Service Citizen Science Competitive Funding Program (due January 9, 2019) funds citizen science programs that promote collaboration in support of managing national forests and grasslands.
• CDFW Endangered Species Conservation and Recovery Program Grants (due January 11, 2019) further the conservation and recovery of federally listed threatened and endangered species in California through management, research, monitoring, and outreach activities.
• The CA Department of Conservation Watershed Coordinator Grants (due January 15, 2019) fund coordinators who develop and implement watershed improvement plans and facilitate watershed-scale collaborations with diverse stakeholders.
• Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation grants (due January 15, 2019) seek to promote the long-term good health and viability of regions by encouraging planning and development aimed at integrating economic and social goals with sound environmental policies.
• Captain Planet Foundation ecoSolution Grants (due January 15, 2019) support solution-oriented, youth-led projects that result in real environmental outcomes.
• Common Counsel Foundation: Acorn Foundation Grants (due January 15, 2019) support grassroots organizations working to advance environmental conservation, sustainability, and environmental justice.
• The National Forest Foundation’s Matching Awards Program (due January 23, 2019) provides funding for results-oriented on-the-ground projects that enhance forest health and outdoor experiences on National Forests.
• US Forest Service Wood Innovation Grants (due January 23, 2019) seek to expand and accelerate wood energy and wood products markets throughout the United States to support forest management needs.
• CAL FIRE Forest Health Grants (due January 29, 2019) fund projects that proactively restore forest health to reduce greenhouse gases, protect upper watersheds, promote the long-term storage of carbon in forest trees and soils, and minimize the loss of forest carbon from large, intense wildfires.
• The Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Grant Program (due January 30, 2019) funds restoration projects selected as priorities by watershed groups.
• EPA Brownfields Grants (due January 31, 2019) fund assessment and cleanup of contaminated properties (such as former mill sites) to prepare them for new economic and community uses.
• The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration grant (due January 31, 2019) supports diverse local partnerships focused on improving water quality, watersheds, and the species and habitats they support.
• US Endowment for Forest and Communities Healthy Watersheds Consortium grants (due February 4, 2019) provide funding to accelerate strategic protection of healthy, freshwater ecosystems and their watersheds.
• EPA Environmental Justice Small Grants (due February 15, 2019) support community-driven projects designed to engage, educate, and empower communities to better understand local environmental and public health issues and develop strategies for addressing those issues, building consensus in the community, and setting community priorities.
• The new CA Natural Resources Agency Cultural, Community, and Natural Resources grant (concept proposals due in January, 2019) provides funding for a variety of cultural and recreational amenities, including restoration and preservation of Native American, natural, cultural, and historic resources within the State.
• The Department of Parks and Recreation Off Highway Vehicle grants (due March 4, 2019) provide funding for trail development, maintenance, education, and safety. An application workshop will be held in Redding on January 10-11, 2019.

Your SNC Area Representative can help you set up an individual consultation with the SNC Funding Team to get advice about specific funding opportunities or general fund development strategies. To take advantage of this resource, contact your Area Representative.

Grant Writing Workshops are available to help build the capacity of organizations that serve the Sierra Nevada Region. If you are interested in organizing or attending a workshop, contact your Area Representative. Upcoming workshops are scheduled in Shasta and Amador counties, and additional workshops can be scheduled upon request.

U.S. EPA Announces Availability of $1.5 Million in Environmental Justice Small Grants
WASHINGTON (November 15, 2018) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of $1.5 million for Environmental Justice Small Grants (EJSG). These funds will be distributed to approximately 50 community-based organizations nationwide that will work to address environmental justice issues in local communities. Each recipient will receive up to $30,000 for one-year, community-driven projects that engage, educate, and empower communities to better understand local environmental and public health issues and to identify ways to address these issues at the local level.

“EPA is committed to assisting low-income and disadvantaged communities that are often disproportionally impacted by environmental risks or hazards,” said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “These grants will help local communities across the country address critical environmental challenges, such as reducing air pollution, combatting lead exposure, and improving water quality.” 

As part of their projects, grant recipients will also collaborate with other stakeholders from across business, industry, local government, academia, and/or other grassroots organizations in an effort to realize project goals and build project sustainability.

Given projected increases in extreme weather events and the vulnerability of underserved populations, this opportunity will emphasize projects that address emergency preparedness and increase resiliency, as well as projects that include the needs of US military veterans and homeless populations.

This year’s Environmental Justice Small Grants program will also include $300,000 in support from EPA’s Urban Waters program. EPA’s Environmental Justice and Urban Waters programs partnered on the 2018 Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving (EJCPS) Cooperative Agreement program, with Urban Waters funding two of the ten projects awarded. This latest support from Urban Waters will promote continued collaboration between the two EPA programs and further benefit communities disproportionately impacted by environmental and public health issues by reconnecting urban communities with their waterways while encouraging community stewardship.

The application period for the 2018 EJSG will remain open until February 15, 2019. All eligible organizations are encouraged to apply.

For more information about EPA’s Environmental Justice Small Grants program: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-small-grants-program

For a full description of the 2017 Environmental Justice Small Grant projects: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-small-grants-program-project-descriptions-2017

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is now accepting proposals for ecosystem restoration and protection projects under its 2019 Proposal Solicitation Notice. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2019-2020, a total of $53 million will be made available for these grants, which are funded through Propositions 1 and 68. Funding will be allocated according to a diverse set of priorities for projects statewide, including:

• $24 million for the Proposition 1 Watershed Restoration Grant Program;
• $7 million for the Proposition 1 Delta Water Quality and Ecosystem Restoration Grant Program;
• $4.4 million for Proposition 68 Rivers and Streams Restoration Grants;
• $8.8 million for Proposition 68 Habitat Improvement Grants.

This is the fifth of 10 planned solicitations under CDFW’s Proposition 1 Grant Programs and the first under Proposition 68.

The deadline to apply is Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018 at 4 p.m. Proposals must be submitted online at https://watershedgrants.wildlife.ca.gov.

The solicitation, application instructions and other information about the grant programs are available at www.wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/watersheds/restoration-grants.   Approved projects will contribute to the objectives of California Water Action Plan and State Wildlife Action Plan, the Delta Plan, California EcoRestore and the fulfillment of CDFW’s mission.

Approved by California voters in November 2014, Proposition 1 provides funds to implement the three broad objectives of the California Water Action Plan: establishing more reliable water supplies, restoring important species and habitat and creating a more resilient, sustainably managed water resources system (water supply, water quality, flood protection and environment) that can better withstand inevitable and unforeseen pressures in the coming decades. The California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access For All Act of 2018 (Proposition 68), approved by California voters in June 2018, provides funds projects that improve a community’s ability to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change; improve and protect coastal and rural economies, agricultural viability, wildlife corridors, or habitat; develop future recreational opportunities; or enhance drought tolerance, landscape resilience and water retention.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) are proud to announce that the 2019 Northern California Forests and Watersheds Request for Proposals (RFP) will be released in January 2019!

As a potential grant applicant, you are more than welcome to begin brainstorming potential projects and partnerships in anticipation of next year’s RFP.  Feel free to review the 2018 RFP and RFP Appendix at www.nfwf.org/norcal as the format and types of projects will be similar next year.

Grant funding for the Power Fire in Eldorado National Forest, Storrie Fire in Lassen National Forest, and other areas for meadow restoration will be available for the following project categories:

• Watershed restoration and management
• Species management
• Forest and upland restoration and management
• Recreational and non-natural features/watershed infrastructure management

In addition, we are proud to announce new funding will be available for watershed restoration and watershed infrastructure projects in the Klamath, Shasta-Trinity, and Six Rivers National Forests!

As a reminder, non-federal match will be a factor in the proposal evaluation, but it is not the only factor.  If non-federal match is a concern, please contact NFWF’s Candace Leong at 415-593-8253 or Candace.leong@nfwf.org as we encourage everyone to apply.

Sierra Nevada Conservancy

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES NEWSLETTER

November-December 2018

Funding Research Memos for fuel reduction, parks and trails, habitat preservation, environmental education, and other program areas are available on the SNC funding opportunities webpage. This is a great way to find funding opportunities for your projects!

Upcoming Grants that Might be of Interest:

• The FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (due October 26) provides funding to eligible fire departments, emergency medical service (EMS) organizations, and state fire training academies (SFTAs) to equip and train emergency personnel.
• The Rose Foundation California Wildland Grassroots Fund (due October 28)  supports conservationists advocating for the permanent protection, including restoration and stewardship, of intact wildlands to help preserve California’s wilderness and native biological diversity.
• Annie’s Homegrown Grants for Gardens (due November 1) provide modest grants to support edible school gardens.
• The Institute for Museum and Library Services’ ‘Inspire’ Grants for Small Museums (due November 1) encourage small museums to implement priority projects in the areas of Lifelong Learning, Community Anchors and Catalysts, and Collections Stewardship and Public Access.
• The Corporation for National and Community Service Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Competition (due November 7) funds programs that engage people age 55 and older in a diverse range of volunteer activities, including environmental stewardship, helping them to improve their lives by staying active and civically engaged.
• The CalRecycle Farm and Ranch Solid Waste Clean Up Grants (due November 8) can be used to clean up illegal dumping and waste from illegal activities on public and private agricultural lands, including forest lands.
• California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Environmental Enhancement Fund grants (due November 16) support environmental enhancement projects located within or immediately adjacent to waters of the state.
• The California State Parks Foundation Youth Access Grants (due November 16) focus on increasing youth access to nature and nature-based experiences.
• Youth Outside Grants (Letters of Intent due November 30) support projects that engage youth ages 12 to 24, particularly those who are under-represented in outdoor pursuits, with their surrounding natural resources.
• The State Water Resources Control Board’s Nonpoint Source Grant Program (due December 18) funds projects that address problems in impaired waters and that implement forest management measures to improve water quality.
• CAL FIRE Fire Prevention Grants (due December 19) aim to reduce the risk of wildland fires to habitable structures and communities, while maximizing carbon sequestration in healthy wildland habitat.
• The National Forest Foundation’s Matching Awards Program (due January 23, 2019) provides funding for results-oriented on-the-ground projects that enhance forest health and outdoor experiences on National Forests.
• The CAL FIRE Forest Health Grants (due January 29, 2019) funds projects that proactively restore forest health to reduce greenhouse gases, protect upper watersheds, promote the long-term storage of carbon in forest trees and soils, and minimize the loss of forest carbon from large, intense wildfires.
• The Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Grant Program (due January 30, 2019) funds restoration projects selected as priorities by watershed groups.
• The Hind Foundation (rolling) supports community-based projects that make visible impacts, including land conservation and plant/wildlife protection.

Be prepared: Upcoming Grants that Should be Active Soon:

• The USFS Wood Innovations Grant NOFA is typically released around Bioenergy Day (October 24). Funding is provided for biomass and bioenergy market development, project pre-development costs, and other related items.
• EPA Brownfields Grants provide funding to assess and clean up contamination on industrial sites such as sawmills. This year the program has been revised to increase the amount of funding available and the options for funded programs. The NOFA is expected late October or early November.
• The draft guidelines for the new CA Natural Resources Agency Cultural, Community, and Natural Resources grant has been released, with comments taken until November 12. If they keep the same schedule, concept proposals for this grant will be due February 13. The grant provides funding for a variety of cultural and recreational amenities, including restoration and preservation of Native American, natural, cultural, and historic resources within the State.

Prop 68 Parks Grant are Coming! Get Ready… Proposition 68, informally known as the ‘Parks-Water Bond’, was passed by the voters in June 2018. It allocates hundreds of millions of dollars for parks throughout the communities of California. Some of these funds are being made available as direct grants to cities and counties, but most of the funding will be in the form of competitive grants.

Sierra Nevada communities are nestled among rolling hills and forested mountains, but many are still ‘park-poor’ – there are few public outdoor places for gatherings, play, and relaxation and events. Some communities would like to develop recreational trails to connect with other recreational opportunities, or interpretive facilities for areas of natural or cultural interest. These grants can help you get funding for this kind of project; if you are ready!

Most of these programs have not released their application guidelines or solicitations yet. However, there are several things that communities can do to make themselves more competitive for all the grants. These are:

1. Maximize Community Engagement in Project Planning and Prioritization
2. Develop Necessary Partnerships and Agreements
3. Move Toward ‘Project Readiness’

A short memo describing these three steps is available on the SNC ‘Other Funding Opportunities’ Webpage.

Your SNC Area Representative can help you set up an individual consultation with the SNC Funding Team to get advice about specific funding opportunities or general fund development strategies. To take advantage of this resource, contact your Area Representative.

Grant Writing Workshops are available to help build the capacity of organizations that serve the Sierra Nevada Region. If you are interested in organizing or attending a workshop, contact your Area Representative. Upcoming workshops are scheduled in Shasta and Amador counties, and additional workshops can be scheduled upon request.