Partners for Fish and Wildlife

Deliver Department of the Interior priorities and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) mission by providing financial and technical assistance to private landowners and Native American Tribes interested in voluntarily working with USFWS to conserve,

The Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program is a voluntary, partnership-driven program that works directly with private landowners, tribes, and local organizations to restore and enhance habitat on non-federal lands. The PFW Program provides technical help and financial support, mostly through cooperative agreements with private landowners. This support aims to restore and conserve fish and wildlife habitats for the benefit of federal trust resources and the communities that depend on them. Project applications are considered and funding is awarded on a rolling basis throughout the fiscal year that corresponds with the annual notice of funding opportunity.

Private landowners, tribal governments, local and state governments, educational, for-profit, and non-profit institutions and organizations are eligible for financial and technical assistance from Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. Projects must be located on private lands. Private land is defined by the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act of 2006, 16 U.S.C. 3771-3774, as any land that is not owned by the Federal Government or a State. Private land includes tribal land and Hawaiian homeland.

Private landowners, tribal governments, local and state governments, educational, for-profit, and non-profit institutions and organizations are eligible for financial and technical assistance from Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. Projects must be located on private lands. Private land is defined by the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act of 2006, 16 U.S.C. 3771-3774, as any land that is not owned by the Federal Government or a State. Private land includes tribal land and Hawaiian homeland.

The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program uses congressionally appropriated funding in accordance with the Partner for Fish and Wildlife Act, 16 U.S.C. 3771-3774, as amended. Private landowners, tribal governments, local and state governments, educational, for-profit, and non-profit institutions and organizations are eligible for financial and technical assistance from Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. Projects must be located on private lands. Private land is defined by the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act of 2006, 16 U.S.C. 3771-3774, as any land that is not owned by the Federal Government or a State. Private land includes tribal land and Hawaiian homeland.

The PFW program uses congressionally appropriated funding in accordance with the Partner for Fish and Wildlife Act of 2006, 16 U.S.C. 3771-3774. Funding cannot be used for land purchase.

Assistance is available on a continuous basis based on funding, funds typically must be spent 1 year from time of obligation.

Applicants seeking assistance through this program are required to consult with a local Program office before developing or submitting an application.

All projects must benefit Federal trust species, involve partnerships, be-cost effective, and where applicable involve on-the-ground habitat restoration. Specific criteria for reviewing and ranking projects were established in the national Partners policy, at https://www.fws.gov/policy/640fw1.html. The program gives high priority to proposed projects that benefit the National Wildlife Refuge System, species at risk, conserve globally or nationally imperiled habitats; and reduce habitat fragmentation. Please review the annual Notice of Availability of Federal Assistance for additional selection criteria referenced in http://www.grants.gov.

After a project has been designed and the cost calculated, the local Partners Program coordinator will be able to inform the private landowner whether or not the Service will provide cost-share assistance. When the landowner has signed a cooperative agreement (a minimum of 10 years) work can begin on the project. The Service reimburses the landowner after the project is completed.

September 30 of the current year, however, applications received after May 30 of the current year may be deferred for consideration in a future fiscal year.

None. Private land owners may request additional projects on their lands.