The recovery challenge grant partnership will build off the successful FWS recovery challenge grant program while adding nfwf s ability to attract projects from diverse partners and bring additional…

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) was awarded a $2 million cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Recovery Implementation (CFDA 15.657) program. The award runs from August 1, 2022 through September 30, 2026 and will fund recovery projects focused on priority species and programs identified jointly by NFWF and the Service. NFWF will solicit projects from diverse partners and leverage additional resources to support endangered species recovery efforts. Project proposals will be shared with the Service for review and approval, with funding directed to those deemed most beneficial. A $200,000 subaward was also made to the Center of Excellence to implement brush control and fence removal across 7,000 acres in southeastern New Mexico to improve habitat connectivity for the lesser prairie-chicken.

The recovery challenge grant partnership will build off the successful FWS recovery challenge grant program while adding nfwf s ability to attract projects from diverse partners and bring additional resources to support the effort nfwf will work with FWS to identify specific priority programs and species through which recovery investments can be focused FWS could either 1 identify priority species in advance and have nfwf staff solicit relevant projects, or 2 select projects as they come in through the relevant programs through either option, nfwf will share the projects with FWS for review and comment the projects recommended for funding will be provided to the assistant director of ecological services for approval projects will continue to be solicited throughout the year until the partnership funds are fully obligated