Tribal Wildlife Grants

Support the development and implementation of programs for the benefit of wildlife and their habitats and species of Tribal cultural or traditional importance, including species that are not hunted or fished.

Tribal Wildlife Grants provide technical and financial assistance to federally recognized Tribes for the development and implementation of programs that benefit fish and wildlife and their habitats. Funding may be used for conserving any plant or animal species of interest to a Tribe, including those of Native American cultural or traditional importance. The grants are an adaptable resource supporting tribal conservation priorities. Species targeted in a project are not restricted to those that are hunted, fished, or gathered, listed as threatened or endangered, or identified in a conservation plan. Activities may include but are not limited to: planning for wildlife and habitat conservation fish and wildlife conservation and management actions fish- and wildlife-related laboratory and field research natural history studies habitat mapping field surveys and species population monitoring habitat protection and enhancement conservation education Funding may be used for salaries, equipment, consultant services, subawards, materials, and travel costs. Activities may include but are not limited to: planning for wildlife and habitat conservation; fish and wildlife conservation and management actions; fish- and wildlife-related laboratory and field research; natural history studies; habitat mapping; field surveys and species population monitoring; habitat protection and enhancement; conservation education. Funding may be used for salaries, equipment, consultant services, subawards, materials, and travel costs.

Participation is limited to Federally recognized Indian tribal governments.

Anyone/General Public (While direct participation is limited to Federally recognized Indian tribal governments, the general public will ultimately benefit from these wildlife conservation measures).

Approved activities include those which develop and implement programs for the benefit of wildlife and their habitat, including species of Native American cultural or traditional importance and species that are not hunted or fished. Activities may include, but are not limited to: Planning for conservation of fish and wildlife, and their habitats; Conservation management actions for fish and wildlife, and their habitats; Field and laboratory research related to fish and wildlife resources; Natural history studies; Habitat mapping or evaluation; Field surveys and population monitoring; Restoration of habitat; Management of invasive species; and Public education relevant to the proposed project.

Approved activities include those which develop and implement programs for the benefit of wildlife and their habitat, including species of Native American cultural or traditional importance and species that are not hunted or fished. Activities may include, but are not limited to: Planning for conservation of fish and wildlife, and their habitats; Conservation management actions for fish and wildlife, and their habitats; Field and laboratory research related to fish and wildlife resources; Natural history studies; Habitat mapping or evaluation; Field surveys and population monitoring; Restoration of habitat; Management of invasive species; and Public education relevant to the proposed project.

Grant funds are available once the proposal review process is complete and FWS Director award concurrence is signed and all of the necessary NEPA compliance documentation is completed. Proposals should be written for the shortest duration needed to accomplish project objectives and funding is available until the closing date of the project grant. Grants may be extended if necessary.

The following criteria is used to select proposals: (1) Resource Benefit: What are the expected benefits to fish and wildlife resources, including species that are not hunted or fished, and their habitat if this program is successfully completed? The Service requires that the Tribe articulate how the benefits of its proposal support the goals and objectives of the TWG and Service and Tribal Performance Goals in their proposal narratives. (2) Performance Measures: To what extent does the proposal provide obtainable and quantifiable performance measures and a means to monitor, evaluate, and report on these measures compared to an initial baseline? The measures should be specific and clear, and should provide demonstrable benefits to the target species of the action. These actions must support the goals and objectives of the TWG, the Service and the Tribe. (3) Work plan: Are the program activities and objectives well-designed and achievable? (4) Budget: Are all major budget items justified in relation to the program objectives and clearly explained in the narrative description? (5) Capacity Building: To what extent does the program increase the grantee's capacity to provide for the benefit of wildlife and their habitat? (6) Contributions and Partnerships: To what extent does the applicant display commitment to the project proposal through in-kind contribution or matching funds and to what extent does it incorporate contributions from other nonfederal partners in the form of either cash or in-kind services?.

The Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service or his or her designee approves or disapproves proposed projects. Regional offices are responsible for notification of grant approval to the grantee and will coordinate the development of the grant agreement.

Proposals will be scored, ranked and selected approximately 90 working days after the deadline for submitting proposals.

Any differences of opinion over the eligibility of proposed activities or differences arising over the conduct of work may be appealed to the Director, Fish and Wildlife Service. Final determination rests with the Secretary of the Interior.