Federal Wildfire Mitigation Resources _20220728.pdf

WILDFIRE RESILIENCE IWG INVENTORY (Working Document)

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY July 25, 2022 1

Federal Wildfire Resources This document describes a variety of pre-disaster Federal grant and cost-share programs across USDA and FEMA that can support community-led efforts to prepare for wildfire.

FEMA Resources for Communities

US Fire Administration State Fire Training Grants The US Fire Administration (USFA) provides a $20,000 grant each year to each state fire training agencies to bolster the delivery of National Fire Academy classes to career and volunteer fire and emergency services agencies from state, local, Tribal, and territorial organizations.

Eligibility How to Access Timeline to Apply/Receive Assistance

State Fire Training Agencies State Fire Training Agency https://www.usfa.fema.gov/pocs

A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO is issued to state fire training agencies who then apply to the

USFA).

Assistance to Firefighters Grant Programs The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Programs fund critically needed resources to equip and train emergency personnel, enhance efficiencies, and support community resilience.

Eligibility How to Access Timeline to Apply/Receive Assistance

FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program provide funds directly to eligible applicants to enhance their response capabilities to, and more effectively protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel from, fire and other related hazards.

Under the AFG Program, Wildland Firefighter and Wildland Fire Officer training courses, basic Wildland firefighting equipment, Wildland

Eligible applicants include fire departments, nonaffiliated EMS organizations, and SFTAs operating in any of the 50 states, as well as fire departments in the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S.

Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any federally recognized Indian tribe or tribal organization.

FEMA publishes a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that generally has a deadline of 30-days from the application period opening.

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/pocs https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/assistance-grants https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/assistance-grants

Working Document

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Eligibility How to Access Timeline to Apply/Receive Assistance Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and Wildland Fire Apparatus are eligible.

FEMA’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program provides funds directly to eligible applicants to assist in increasing the number of firefighters to help communities meet industry minimum standards and attain 24-hourstaffing to provide adequate fire protection from fire and fire-related hazards.

Under the SAFER Grant, funding for wildland firefighter training and wildland PPE are eligible.

Eligible applicants include fire departments and national, state, local, federally recognized tribal, and non-profit interest organizations operating in any of the 50 states, as well as fire departments in the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any federally recognized Indian tribe or tribal organization.

FEMA publishes a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that generally has a deadline of 30-days from the application period opening.

FEMA’s Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant Program provides funding directly to eligible applicants for fire prevention programs and supporting firefighter health and safety research and development.

Under the FP&S Grant, Wildland Urban Interface [WUI] projects such as community risk assessments, adoption or reinstatement of WUI fire codes, and WUI education/awareness projects are eligible.

Eligible applicants include fire departments and national, state, local, tribal, and non-profit interest organizations, such as academic (e.g., universities), public health, occupational health and injury prevention institutions operating in any of the 50 states, as well as fire departments in the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S.

Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any federally recognized Indian tribe or tribal organization.

FEMA publishes a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that generally has a deadline of 30-days from the application period opening.

FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Funds are provided to state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments so that they can rebuild in a way that reduces or mitigates future disaster losses in communities nationwide. Each project submitted to FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs for funding are required to meet basic eligibility criteria by being cost effective, technically feasible and effective, and in compliance with all applicable Environmental Historic Preservation laws.

FEMA-approved Hazard Mitigation Plans are also required to apply for funding.

https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/safer https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/safer https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/safer https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/safety-awards https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/safety-awards

Wildfire projects require significant environmental and cultural reviews, including coordination with resource agencies, assessment of environmental and cultural impacts, and more scrutiny on feasibility and cost-effectiveness. This process is intended to ensure that considerations are made to avoid or minimize impacts a project may have on sensitive and culturally-important resources and can require FEMA to solicit public comment.

Learn more about the HMA grant programs and wildfire mitigation by visiting FEMA.gov.

Eligibility How to Access Timeline to Apply/Receive Assistance

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) is dedicated to breaking the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. Hazard mitigation includes long-term solutions that reduce the impact of disasters in the future.

Eligible states, territories, the District of Columbia, and Federally-recognized Tribes can apply and submit applications on behalf of sub-applicants for funding via the National Emergency Management Information System, which is the grants management system to apply for and manage HMGP grants.

Homeowners, business operators, and non-profit organizations cannot apply directly to FEMA, but can be included in a sub-application submitted by an eligible sub-applicant. For more information, please contact your local government or state to apply for HMGP funding.

Up to 12 months following a presidentially-declared major disaster. Application extensions may be requested.

The application deadline to apply for the $3.46 billion that was authorized through HMGP for the 59 declared disasters for COVID-19 was Aug. 5, 2022, unless an extension was requested.

FEMA’s HMGP Post Fire grant program provides assistance available to help communities implement hazard mitigation measures after wildfire disasters.

Eligible states, Federally-recognized Tribes, the District of Columbia, and territories affected by fires resulting in a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) declaration on or after October 5, 2018 can submit applications on behalf of sub-applicants for funding via the National Emergency Management Information System, which is the grants management system to apply for and manage HMGP Post Fire grants.

Homeowners, business operators, and non-profit organizations cannot apply directly to FEMA, but can be included in a subapplication

The application period opens with the state or territory's first FMAG declaration of the fiscal year and closes six months after the end of that fiscal year. Application extensions may be requested.

Following the FMAG, FEMA has pre-calculated funding amounts so that eligible applicants know what is available.

http://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/hazard-mitigation https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/hazard-mitigation https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_nemis-hmgp_user-manual_september-2016.pdf https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_nemis-hmgp_user-manual_september-2016.pdf https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/post-fire https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_nemis-hmgp_user-manual_september-2016.pdf https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_nemis-hmgp_user-manual_september-2016.pdf

Eligibility How to Access Timeline to Apply/Receive Assistance submitted by an eligible subapplicant. For more information please contact your local government or state to apply for HMGP funding.

FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program provides support to states, local communities, Tribes, the District of Columbia, and territories as they undertake hazard mitigation projects, reducing the risks they face from disasters and natural hazards.

Eligible states, Federally-recognized Tribes, the District of Columbia, and territories can apply and submit applications on behalf of sub-applicants for funding via the FEMA GO grant management system.

Learn more about the FEMA GO system, including user guides and templates. Or directly access the FEMA GO portal at go.fema.gov.

Homeowners, business operators, and non-profit organizations cannot apply directly to FEMA, but can be included in a sub-application submitted by an eligible sub-applicant. For more information, please contact your local government or state to apply for BRIC funding.

FEMA publishes an annual Notice of Funding Opportunity in late fall that generally has a deadline of 120-days from the application period opening.

On July 20, 2022, President Biden announced that there will be $2.295 billion made available for the Fiscal Year 2022 BRIC funding cycle as part of the Administration’s efforts to address climate change. This more than doubles the funding available to proactively reduce vulnerability to disasters including drought, wildfires, flood, hurricanes, and other hazards.

USDA Resources Available to Communities

Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program The Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program was authorized and funded in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and provides grants to communities at risk from wildfire to develop or revise their community wildfire protection plans and carry out projects described within those plans. Funding is available for a 5-year period, Fiscal Year 2022 through Fiscal Year 2026.

Eligibility How to Access Timeline to Apply/Receive Assistance

• At-risk community (will not be restricted to HFRA definition)

• For project implementation:

Described in a CWPP that is not more than 10-years old

Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) information will be available on

Approximately sixty days from NOFO publication https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/building-resilient-infrastructure-communities https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/building-resilient-infrastructure-communities https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/building-resilient-infrastructure-communities https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/fema-go https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/fema-go https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/fema-go https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/fema-go https://go.fema.gov/login?redirect=%2F https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/livestock-indemnity/index

Eligibility How to Access Timeline to Apply/Receive Assistance

• Entity type: local governments, Indian Tribes, non-profit organizations, state forestry agencies, Alaska Native Corporations https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire/grants

Wildland Urban Interface Grant Program The Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) competitive grant program is managed as part of the State Fire Capacity program. State Fire Capacity funding is used for competitive grants to local communities and other organizations to assist with mitigating risk from wildfire within the WUI. Grants are available and awarded through a competitive process with emphases on hazard fuel reduction in the WUI, information and education, assessment and planning, and monitoring through community and landowner action.

Eligibility How to Access Timeline to Apply/Receive Assistance

Please contact your state/territory forestry organization for more information.

Please contact your state/territory forestry organization for more information.

Please contact your state/territory forestry organization for more information.

Volunteer Fire Capacity Grant Program The Volunteer Fire Capacity program is a competitive grant program managed by state forestry agencies that assists rural volunteer fire departments with improving their capacity and capability to suppress wildfires. Grant funding may be used for purposes such as training, equipment, and apparatus.

Eligibility How to Access Timeline to Apply/Receive Assistance The application must be submitted by a volunteer fire district/fire department that responds to wildland fire and provides service to a rural area or a rural community with a population of 10,000 or less.

Please contact your state/territory forestry organization for more information.

Please contact your state/territory forestry organization for more information.

Landscape Scale Restoration Program The Landscape Scale Restoration Program is a Forest Service State and Private Forestry competitive grant program that promotes collaborative, science-based restoration of priority forest landscapes and furthers priorities identified in State Forest Action Plans or equivalent restoration strategies. Landscape Scale Restoration projects cross multiple jurisdictions, including Tribal, state and local government, and private forest land, to address large-scale issues such as wildfire risk reduction, watershed protection and restoration, and the spread of invasive species, insect infestation and disease.

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fs.usda.gov%2Fmanaging-land%2Ffire%2Fgrants&data=05%7C01%7C%7C7eafaff3ba254f932fe608da6b86c058%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637940523765647591%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ReW6zCVrgxLkSy%2FwCzbPe6HVmaygqM0P4dCLmCuXM2w%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fs.usda.gov%2Fmanaging-land%2Ffire%2Fgrants&data=05%7C01%7C%7C7eafaff3ba254f932fe608da6b86c058%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637940523765647591%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ReW6zCVrgxLkSy%2FwCzbPe6HVmaygqM0P4dCLmCuXM2w%3D&reserved=0 https://www.stateforesters.org/forest-action-plans/

Eligibility How to Access Timeline to Apply/Receive Assistance

State forestry agencies or appropriate state agencies, units of local government, Indian Tribes, non-profit organizations, universities, and Alaska Native Corporations.

There are three regional RFPs which are expected to be released in August 2022 to apply for FY23 funding. In addition, there is a Tribal RFP for Federally-recognized Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations with an anticipated release in August 2022. These opportunities will be posted on Grants.gov and applicants may check the national landing page for the Landscape Scale Restoration Program where updates will be posted.

Website:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/landscape-scale-restoration POC: Margaret Haines -margaret.haines@usda.gov

Estimated release of RFPs is August 2022. Application window is fall of 2022 with funding decisions made in February 2023 and grant awards in June 2023. Total funding availability is contingent on FY23 Appropriations. The program made $12.5M available in competitive grants in FY22.

Regional Conservation Partnership Program State and local governments, Tribes, non-profits and others can apply to target conservation funding to certain geographies to address specific natural resource challenges. A majority of RCPP funding is provided directly to producers and landowners who implement conservation measures (for example, forest stand improvement) or place conservation easements on private lands.

Eligibility How to Access Timeline to Apply/Receive Assistance

Most state and local governmental entities, nonprofit organizations, and Federally-recognized Tribes. A full list of eligible entities is available in each RCPP funding announcement. Producers and landowners taking part in RCPP projects must also be eligible to participate in USDA conservation programs.

More information about the Regional Conservation Partnership Program is here. NRCS state offices manage RCPP projects. A list of RCPP State Coordinators is here.

Interested entities are encouraged to contact the State Coordinator in the state in which they are interested in applying for a RCPP project.

Applicants submit proposals when national funding announcements are released. The FY 22 competition period is closed; the FY 23 funding announcements are likely to post in winter 2022/2023.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/landscape-scale-restoration https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/landscape-scale-restoration https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/landscape-scale-restoration https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nrcs.usda.gov%2Fwps%2Fportal%2Fnrcs%2Fmain%2Fnational%2Fprograms%2Ffinancial%2Frcpp%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7C0755706c5f6d4074263308da6e558bd9%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637943610937735904%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=NZrXY3ZoG4FK73GNf6rsf0CTbU%2B5AfImk2XDTUtONoE%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nrcs.usda.gov%2Fwps%2FPA_NRCSConsumption%2Fdownload%3Fcid%3Dnrcseprd1751883%26ext%3Dpdf&data=05%7C01%7C%7C0755706c5f6d4074263308da6e558bd9%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637943610937735904%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=QYxS2wp7uil90kXjmA%2BhN9422p5uZDg9op6DpTTdXoo%3D&reserved=0

Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Program The Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership enables NRCS and the Forest Service to collaborate with agricultural producers and forest landowners to invest in conservation and restoration at a large-enough scale to make a difference. Working in partnership, and at this scale, helps to reduce wildfire threats, protect water quality and supply, and improve wildlife habitat for at-risk species.

Eligibility How to Access Timeline to Apply/Receive Assistance

Eligible partnering organizations include Tribal governments, local governments, nonprofits, private individual stakeholders, and other eligible non-Federal entities.

Contact your local NRCS or Forest Service office.

NRCS and Forest Service national offices will solicit proposals submissions for FY23 projects between May 24, 2022 and August 5, 2022. Another solicitation for proposals is planned for spring 2023.

USDA Resources Available for Ranchers, Farmers, and Owners of Private Forestland

Environmental Quality Incentive Program This is a voluntary conservation program providing financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and non-industrial forest managers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits, such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health, reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.

Eligibility How to Access Timeline to Apply/Receive Assistance

Applicants may include individuals, legal entities, joint operations or Indian Tribes that have control of land and currently manage it for agricultural, forest and livestock production.

More information about the Environmental Quality Incentives Program is here. Prospective applicants may contact their local USDA Service Center and let them know they are interested in EQIP. A conservation planner will work with a prospective applicant to determine their eligibility. Applicants may learn more about the application process here.

NRCS accepts EQIP applications year-round, and funding is provided through a competitive process.

https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?agency=nrcs https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/partnerships https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/partnerships https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nrcs.usda.gov%2Fwps%2Fportal%2Fnrcs%2Fmain%2Fnational%2Fprograms%2Ffinancial%2Feqip%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7C0755706c5f6d4074263308da6e558bd9%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637943610937735904%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=DrPlqS%2F6jN1dJLXaAi1E11wn1xfg5bm4xK1LqlAz6Pw%3D&reserved=0 https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nrcs.usda.gov%2Fwps%2Fportal%2Fnrcs%2Fdetail%2Fnational%2Fprograms%2Ffinancial%2Feqip%2F%3Fcid%3Dnrcseprd1342638&data=05%7C01%7C%7C0755706c5f6d4074263308da6e558bd9%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637943610937735904%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=IjTCOu%2F7Uv5m0clwW%2F%2F0wwF67RwAl8dWfCxcAtRnbN4%3D&reserved=0

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Voluntary conservation program offering technical and financial assistance to help agricultural and forest producers take their conservation efforts to the next level and designed to compensate agricultural and forest producers who agree to increase their level of conservation by adopting additional conservation activities and maintaining their baseline level of conservation.

Eligibility How to Access Timeline to Apply/Receive Assistance

Applicants may include individuals, legal entities, joint operations, or Indian Tribes that have control of land and currently manage it for agricultural, forest and livestock production.

More information about the Conservation Stewardship Program is here. Prospective applicants may contact their local USDA Service Center and let them know they are interested in CSP. A conservation planner will work with a prospective applicant to determine their eligibility. Applicants may learn more about the application process here.

NRCS accepts CSP applications year-round, and funding is provided through a competitive process.

Emergency Assistance for Livestock Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish (ELAP) USDA-FSA’s Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish (ELAP) provides financial assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish for losses due to disease, certain adverse weather events or loss conditions. In 2021, USDA updated ELAP policy to help cover the cost of transporting feed for livestock that rely on grazing. By helping transport feed to livestock and livestock to feed, and by covering water hauling costs in key areas, this program helps keep ranchers ranching while preventing additional stress on drought-stricken land that may be vulnerable to fire.

Eligibility How to Access Timeline to Apply/Receive Assistance

This assistance can be leveraged by eligible producers in places where:

• Drought intensity is D2 for eight consecutive weeks as indicated by the U.S.

Drought Monitor;

• Drought intensity is D3 or greater; or

• USDA has determined a shortage of local or regional feed availability.

Information here about ELAP program.

Find your local Farm Service Agency here office here.

The deadline to request all ELAP assistance for 2022 calendar year losses will be Jan. 31, 2023.

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nrcs.usda.gov%2Fwps%2Fportal%2Fnrcs%2Fmain%2Fnational%2Fprograms%2Ffinancial%2Fcsp%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7C0755706c5f6d4074263308da6e558bd9%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637943610937735904%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=uu96ILvVsub%2Bfh8UGe1EVRbKy6fRyKQglCXB4nGcF8s%3D&reserved=0 https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nrcs.usda.gov%2Fwps%2Fportal%2Fnrcs%2Fdetailfull%2Fnational%2Fprograms%2Ffinancial%2Fcsp%2F%3Fcid%3Dnrcseprd1288620&data=05%7C01%7C%7C0755706c5f6d4074263308da6e558bd9%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637943610937735904%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=OwUKQNjg14LIjdXSf3M8Z%2BZKdmbhM3GG3vkuJVI78WA%3D&reserved=0 https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/emergency-assist-for-livestock-honey-bees-fish/index https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/emergency-assist-for-livestock-honey-bees-fish/index https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/index https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/index

DOI Resources Available for Communities The America the Beautiful Challenge (ATBC) is funded by the Ecosystem Restoration provision for “Grants for Voluntary Restoration.” That proposal includes the following program priorities, which are explicitly complementary to the Community Wildfire Defense Grants:

• Strengthen Ecosystem and Community Resilience. Conserve and restore natural systems that help ecosystems and/or communities respond to, mediate, and recover from disturbances such as floods, wildfire, drought (e.g., enhancing a wetland to improve coastal resilience, invasive species prevention or removal to reduce wildfire risk, restoring fire resilient stand structure and species composition in fire prone forests, water conservation to address drought, expansion of wetlands to protect from flooding, grassland restoration to promote natural prairie ecosystems).

• Expand Habitat Connectivity. Conserve and restore priority habitat and stopover areas along key migratory routes; conserve, restore or improve fish passage; conserve or restore lands and/or waters that are critical to habitat connectivity; or expand and enhance wildlife corridors that contribute to larger-scale conservation efforts (e.g., removing and right-sizing culverts, removing encroaching trees from grassland and sagebrush ecosystems, rehabilitating areas damaged by fire, treating exotic/invasive vegetation to improve habitat values, or voluntary conservation easements to strengthen habitat connectivity).

Eligibility How to Access Timeline to Apply/Receive Assistance

Eligible organizations include state government agencies, territories of the United States, Indian Tribes, non-profit 501(c) organizations, local governments, municipal governments, and educational institutions.

All application materials must be submitted online through National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Easygrants System:

http://easygrants.nfwf.org

Applications were accepted through July 21, 2022. Another solicitation for proposals is planned for FY2023.

http://easygrants.nfwf.org/

DOI Resources Available for Communities