Sierra Nevada Conservancy Funding Opportunities Newsletter – Jan/Feb 2019

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:

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.

USEPA Environmental Justice Small Grants – applications due 2/15/19

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

CDFW Ecosystem Restoration & Protection Projects 2019 Proposal Solicitation Notice

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.

2019 USFS & NFWF’s Northern California Forests and Watersheds RFP

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 – Nov/Dec 2018

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:

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.

DWR Releases Prop 1 IRWM Draft Project Solicitation Package – Comments due November 20, 2018

On October 5, 2018 DWR released the 2018 Proposition 1 – Round 1 IRWM Implementation Grant Draft Proposal Solicitation Package and Draft Guidelines for public review. DWR is proposing that approximately $194 million be made available for implementation projects with approximately $18 million designated for projects that provide benefits to Disadvantaged Communities. DWR encourages public comment on the draft solicitation package documents found below. DWR will close the public comment period Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at 5pm.

Solicitation Package Documents

Cover Letter –  please read FIRST as it provides important instructions for prospective applicants

IRWM Grant Program 2018 Draft Guidelines

IRWM Implementation Grant Program 2018 Draft PSP 

More information is available on DWR’s IRWM website here.

SNC Free Grant Writing Workshop – October 16 & 17 in Chico

Free Workshop
Introduction to Grant Writing
Build your grant writing skills!
For community organizations and agencies across our region.

Tues. Oct. 16th 9 am – 3 pm & Wed. Oct. 17 9 am – 12:30 pm 

Chico, CA

The Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) looks to the organizations, agencies, and local governments in the Region to help achieve its vision for the future — that the
magnificent Sierra Nevada Region enjoys outstanding environmental, economic, and
social health, with vibrant communities and landscapes sustained for future generations.
You are our partners and we want to help you obtain funding to achieve these goals!
Who should attend? Community, nonprofit, and local government representatives who
would like to learn how to prepare effective grant applications. This workshop is geared the beginning (no experience) and intermediate (moderate grant writing experience) level.

The workshop will cover the basics of grant writing and program development, including:
• How to make your application as competitive as possible
• Basic program development for effective grant writing
• The eight standard parts of a grant application
• How to create a work plan and budget spreadsheet

This will be a small, interactive class. Participation and writing will be required.
Come prepared to discuss a real project that you would like to fund and to write
about it. Individual assistance will be provided on writing assignments.

The workshop will be taught by Elissa Brown, Sierra Nevada Conservancy’s Fund Development Coordinator. Elissa is an experienced grant writer and grant writing
instructor.

The workshop will be held at the Butte County Public Works Yard meeting space, 44 Bellarmine Ct, Chico, CA.

What To Expect: If you like to work on a computer, please bring a laptop and a long
extension cord. If you prefer to write by hand bring paper and pens. Either is fine! You’ll be mailed materials you’ll need to bring to class (either on your laptop or printed out). You’be expected to put in 1-2 hours Tuesday afternoon or evening on your writing assignment.

Please bring a brown bag lunch – and a vision of something you want to help your
organization accomplish!

To register: Space is limited! Please RSVP to Wolfy Rougle (wolfy@bcrcd.org) by
Friday, Oct. 12th. The workshop is free. Bring a lunch. Light snacks will be provided.

See Grant Writing Workshop for workshop information.

Sierra Nevada Conservancy Funding Opportunities Newsletter – Sept/Oct 2018

Sierra Nevada Conservancy
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES NEWSLETTER
September-October 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:

Interested in cleaning up contamination to re-use an industrial site? The EPA Brownfields program has a variety of grants for assessment and clean-up of contamination on sites. This is often the first step to redeveloping the site for industrial or other uses. Last year’s deadline for the assessment and clean-up grants was mid-November and this year’s solicitation is likely to be released in September or October. Current grant solicitations have not yet been released, but upcoming changes to EPA’s Brownfields Program can be found here. You can also contact the EPA Region 9 staff for more information about the types of assistance provided.

FEMA Disaster Mitigation Grant Programs – The Pre-Disaster Mitigation and Hazard Mitigation grant programs are upcoming sources of disaster prevention funding, including fuel reduction on private property. Post-fire reforestation is also a fundable activity. Activities cannot take place on federal lands. Local government and special districts (including Resource Conservation Districts) are eligible applicants. Funding is also available for generators to power critical disaster response facilities such as clinics, emergency operations, and shelters. Communities interested in trying out biomass generators for on-going as well as emergency power might consider this source of funding.

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.

NFWF Wetland Project Funding Opportunity RFP – due Sept 28

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) Sacramento District California In-Lieu Fee Program (ILF Program) is currently seeking proposals for aquatic resource restoration projects in the following Priority Service Areas:

  • Bear/Yuba Rivers
  • Cache/Putah Rivers
  • Calaveras/Stanislaus Rivers
  • Carson/Walker Rivers
  • Feather River
  • Kaweah/Tule River
  • Merced/Tuolumne River
  • Northeast Sacramento River
  • Northwest Sacramento River
  • Pit River

NFWF intends to partner with public, private, and non-profit organizations to help fund and implement on-the-ground wetland and/or waters restoration (re-establishment or rehabilitation), establishment (creation), and/or enhancement projects.  Projects may be stand-alone proposals or may be an identifiable component of a larger project.

In each case, the restoration benefits provided by the project must be clearly demonstrated and must meet all applicable requirements set forth in the 2008 Compensatory Mitigation for Losses of Aquatic Resources Final Rule (the “2008 Rule”).  These requirements are set forth in the 2008 Rule at 33 CFR Part 332.8(j) and 33 CFR Part 332.4(c)(2)-(14); and 40 CFR Part 230.98(j) and 40 CFR Part 230.94(c)(2)-(14).

For additional information on the ILF Program and how to apply for funding, please see the attached Request for Proposals or visit our webpage:

http://www.nfwf.org/ilf/Pages/fall2018rfp.aspx

Pre-Proposal applications are due September 28, 2018.  For more information or questions about this Request for Proposals, please contact:

 

 

USDA Rural Development Loan Opportunities

Eligible rural communities and water districts can apply online for funding to maintain, modernize or build water and wastewater systems. They can visit the interactive RD Apply tool, or they can apply through one of USDA Rural Development’s state or field offices.

USDA is providing the funding through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. It can be used to finance drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems for rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.