The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Wetlands Restoration for Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program is planning its grant cycle for 2019.  Project areas include coastal tidal wetlands, Delta wetlands, inland wetlands, and mountain meadows.  Grant details and timelines are available on the individual fact sheets.

• Coastal Tidal Wetlands Fact Sheet: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=166713&inline
• Delta Wetlands Fact Sheet: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=166714&inline
• Inland Wetland Fact Sheet: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=166712&inline
• Mountain Meadow Fact Sheet: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=166715&inline

Main Program Webpage: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Watersheds/Greenhouse-Gas-Reduction

The Department of Water Resources has released the Final Proposition 1 Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Grant Program documents, including:

• 2019 IRWM Grant Program Guidelines
• Round 1 – Implementation Grant Proposal Solicitation Package (PSP)

These newly released documents, as well as other information about the Proposition 1 IRWM Grant Program can be found at: https://water.ca.gov/Work-With-Us/Grants-And-Loans/IRWM-Grant-Programs/Proposition-1/Implementation-Grants 

Sierra Nevada Conservancy

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES NEWSLETTER

April-May 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:

• USDA Rural eConnectivity Pilot Program (due March 29) provides grants and loans to expand broadband service to rural areas without sufficient access to broadband, (10 Mbps downstream and 1 Mbps upstream.)
• The USDA Rural Business Development Grant Program (due March 29) funds targeted technical assistance, training and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas.
• Campbell Foundation grants (due March 31) fund projects focusing on water quality and land-sea connections in California.
• The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP): Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program (due April 1) provides grants and guaranteed loans to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements to their operations.
• The North Face Explore Fund (due April 2) provides funding to introduce under-represented communities to outdoor adventures in new and interesting ways, and for projects that protect ecosystems and the ability to enjoy them by engaging new and diverse communities in environmental work.
• The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) North America Program: Climate Adaptation Fund (pre-proposals due April 5) supports on-the-ground projects that demonstrate effective interventions for wildlife adaptation to climate change.
• The California Dept. of Food & Agriculture Noxious Weed Grant Program (due April 5) funds strategic local invasive plant control work.
• The National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance (NWSA) National Forest System Trail Stewardship Partnership (due April 15) provides grants to trails and stewardship organizations to provide maintenance on National Forest Service trails.
• The USDA Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program (due April 16) provides grants for Ag in the Classroom (K-12) and Community College associate degree programs in the areas of food, agricultural, natural resources, and human sciences.
• The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Walmart Acres for America Grants (pre-proposals due April 17) provide funding to help purchase and conserve lands of national significance, protect critical fish and wildlife habitat, and benefit people and local economies.
• The Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment: Northern California Environmental Grassroots Fund (due May 1) provides modest general support grants to small grassroots organizations that address tough environmental problems such as toxic pollution, sustainable agriculture, climate change, environmental degradation of rivers and wild places, and the environmental health of communities.
• The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grants (due May 10) fund museums, educational programs, and wildlife/environmental protection programs.
• The Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention Grant (due May 10) helps stop the spread of mussel infestation and the potential harm to state waterways.
• The USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program (due May 15) supports the use of telecommunications-enabled information, audio and video equipment, and related advanced technologies.
• The Caltrans Active Transportation Program (call for projects expected in May) provides grants to encourage increased use of active modes of transportation, such as walking and biking.
• Clif Bar Family Foundation Small Grants (due June 1) support efforts to protect the Earth’s beauty and bounty, create a robust and healthy food system, increase opportunities for outdoor activity, reduce environmental health hazards, and build stronger communities.
• The Bella Vista Foundation Ecosystem Restoration Grant Program (applications accepted June 3 – 28) focuses on protecting, restoring, and revitalizing high-priority watershed ecosystems in California, including Truckee River, Yuba/Bear/American, and the North Fork Feather River watersheds.
• The National Forest Foundation’s Matching Award Program (due June 13) provides funds for direct on-the-ground projects that benefit National Forests and that enhance outdoor experiences, forest and ecosystem health, and local community engagement in caring for public lands.
• The CA Natural Resources Proposition 68 Green Infrastructure Grant Program (due June 28) funds projects which improve a community’s ability to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change, protect rural economies, agricultural viability, wildlife corridors or habitat, develop future recreational opportunities, and enhance drought tolerance, landscape resilience, and water retention.
• The Pedigree Foundation Disaster Relief Grant (rolling) supports nonprofit animal welfare organizations in communities that have suffered the impact of natural or other disasters.

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.

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.