Gulf of Maine Council

Resources

Identification of Important Habitats in Coastal New Hampshire

Appendix B: Federal Grant Opportunities for Habitat Protection

Voluntary habitat protection strategies include conservation easements, land acquisition, restoration and management, agricultural incentives and conservation education. Conservation organizations and private landowners interested in protecting or restoring nationally important fish and wildlife habitat can compete for federal grants. Nationally important habitat includes coastal wetlands, nesting islands, or habitat for endangered/threatened species, migratory birds, anadromous fish and certain marine mammals. Successful grant proposals must be matched by non-federal contributions, in the form of cash, material, equipment, protected lands or in-kind services. The following cooperative initiatives and matching grant opportunities can provide funds for acquisition, easement or technical assistance:

North American Waterfowl Management Plan Grants: This international effort to conserve the continent's remaining wetlands and increase migratory bird populations provides large matching grants (up to $1,000,000). The North American Waterfowl Management Plan identified Joint Ventures, regions of high waterfowl value needing protection. Within Joint Ventures, federal and state agencies, conservation groups and private citizens are encouraged to apply for grants and work together to conserve and manage priority wetland habitat. Funds, authorized under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, can be used to manage, restore and/or acquire habitat, through purchase or easement. In addition, a pilot small grants program (less than $50,000) was established in 1996 to encourage new partnerships. Federal funds must be matched or exceeded by non-federal contributions, in the form of cash, goods, services and/or land. Any federal, state or private organization that can demonstrate its ability to hold and manage land for wildlife values in perpetuity is eligible to receive a North American grant. The Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership is promoting the application of North American Waterfowl Management Grants for protection of wildlife habitats around Great Bay. Further information can be obtained from New Hampshire Fish and Game, The Nature Conservancy of New Hampshire, or the Fish and Wildlife Service Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants: This matching grant program, authorized by the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act, and administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, distributes funds to state conservation agencies to acquire, restore, or manage coastal and Great Lake wetlands for fish and wildlife values. Applications are rated on the basis of resource values, including wetland type, endangered/threatened species, anadromous fish, biodiversity, long-term conservation value and partnerships. Nationwide, recent grants have ranged from $10,000 to $1,000,000.

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grants: The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, a nonprofit organization, was established by Congress to award grants for conservation activities that support fish, wildlife and plant conservation. The Foundation uses federal funds as seed money to attract additional private donations. Once the Foundation at least matches its original Congressional appropriation, it releases grants on a matching grant basis to conservation organizations worldwide. Programs include habitat protection and restoration, research, education and management. Grants typically range from several thousand dollars to more than $100,000 and can be directed to federal and state agencies, universities, corporations, and private conservation organizations. Fisheries Across America is a separate grant program coordinated by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation dedicated to restoring riparian and in-stream habitat, managing fisheries, eradicating exotic species, and monitoring and protecting habitat.

Land and Water Conservation Fund: Federal land management agencies can request money from this fund to acquire lands for federal protection. State agencies can also request money from this fund to acquire land and expand outdoor recreation opportunities. Funding must be approved by Congress.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Challenge Cost Share Grants: This program encourages partnerships by awarding matching federal funds to manage, restore and enhance fish and wildlife habitat and provide educational services to visitors. Priority funding is directed to national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries, but habitat protection and restoration projects on private lands are also eligible. Challenge Grants are typically limited to $15,000 or less.

Partners for Wildlife: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Partners for Wildlife Program provides technical assistance to solve land management problems, identify partners and coordinate restoration work on private lands. The Partners for Wildlife Program concentrates on restoring degraded freshwater and saltwater wetlands, riparian (stream-side) habitat, and habitat for migratory songbirds, endangered and threatened species, and fishes. Restoration costs may be shared by any combination of governmental agencies, private organizations and the private landowner. Cost-effective restoration projects that provide the greatest fish and wildlife benefit for the least money are most likely to receive attention from the Partners program. The landowner must commit to maintaining restored habitat for a minimum of ten years.

Partnerships for Wildlife: This matching grant program, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, provides grants for state fish and wildlife agencies focusing on species which are NOT hunted or fished, or NOT protected under the Endangered Species Act or the Marine Mammals Protection Act. Priority is given to projects involving species at risk of becoming threatened or endangered. Grants can be used for resource management and research, land acquisition, restoration or enhancement, education and/or promoting non-consumptive forms of wildlife recreation (i.e. photography, viewing). States must provide 1/3 of the cost, private groups can contribute 1/3 of the cost, and the Partnerships Program provides the final 1/3. Each state is limited to $250,000 annually from this program.

Other federal and state funds: In addition to funding through the programs described above, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers also provide funds for wetland restoration. Through the Coastal America Program, federal agencies identify potential restoration projects and pool available resources to carry out priority projects. Other habitat protection funding opportunities may be available through your state government. In some states, lotteries, credit cards, income tax check-offs, vanity license plates and bond issues provide funds for habitat protection.