More Information Program Overview Who May Apply Funding Availability and Constraints Project Ranking and Post-Award Steps Proposal Ranking Worksheet  [PDF, 25 KB] Species of Greatest Conservation Need  [PDF, 121 KB] Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy The Idaho Department of Fish and Game's Nongame Wildlife Program provides grants to public and private individuals, groups, or organizations for native fish and wildlife conservation projects. Wildlife grants will be applied only to reimburse grantees for costs associated with approved project activities.

Application Guidelines

State Wildlife Grants Program

To apply for a State Wildlife Grant (SWG) please review all the sections below. Included are application submittal process, the application, eligibility, project criteria and resources.

Grant applications are typically accepted on a semi-annual basis. Because funds are limited, you are encouraged to contact the State Wildlife Grants (SWG) Coordinator (208-287-2795) to check on the availability of funds before submitting a proposal. See the steps below for the application process and submittal criteria:

• Download and complete the application. To be considered complete, the application must be submitted in its entirety, and the proposed project must meet all requirements described below. Incomplete applications or ones that do not follow format or are unprofessional will not be considered.
• Eligible Projects: - Information and examples of suitable projects.
• Eligible Species: Funded grants must address the Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) identified within the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CWCS). See the complete species list [PDF file, 121 KB] including a discussion of the rationale and selection process.
• Proposals must meet conservation priorities outlined in Idaho's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy for one or more Species of Greatest Conservation Need.
• Federal Requirements: See the Federal Assistance Toolkit for information on the federal assistance requirements that each successful proposal will be required to meet. This includes: The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance checklist, Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), guidelines about The Use of In-Kind Match and what that entails, and other compliance regulations.
• Application  [PDF, 39 KB]
• Send the original, signed application, and two signed original copies of the Statement of Assurances to address below. Applicants must also provide an electronic version of their application. Send disc to address below or send via email.
• Jon Beals, State Wildlife Grants Coordinator
  Idaho Department of Fish and Game
  P.O. Box 25
  Boise, ID 83707-0025
  
  Email: jbeals@idfg.idaho.gov  /  Phone: 208-287-2795  /  Fax: 208-334-2114
  

Applicants of successful proposals will be notified within 4 weeks of the submission deadline and requested to submit additional information for a proposal that meets the requirements for a federal assistance grant. Please note that the federal assistance process from start to finish can at times be a lengthy process. Successful applicants should anticipate receiving funds for their project 10 to 12 weeks following the notification of a grant award. It is our recommendation that applicants seeking funds for spring and summer work use the fall application period and applicants seeking funds for fall and winter work use the spring application period.

Projects will be ranked on merit against other projects submitted for consideration. It is your responsibility to ensure that your application is complete and clear. An incomplete application could either hamper Fish and Game's ability to favorably evaluate what could otherwise be a good project, or result in outright disqualification of the application.

Successful applicants will be asked to provide additional information to ensure grantee compliance with NEPA, Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and other federal and state requirements.

Project proposals must address the conservation of Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and habitats identified as priorities within the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CWCS). Projects must clearly benefit wildlife conservation. The State Wildlife Grant (SWG) legislation allows for conservation uses of these funds "for the development and implementation of programs for the benefit of wildlife, including species that are not hunted or fished."

The following projects are not eligible for this funding:

• plant conservation
• enforcement activity
• projects that endorse opposition to the regulated taking of wildlife
• projects that include land acquisition

A general example of suitable activities include projects that:

• benefit SGCN
• benefit conservation of SGCN habitat
• provide data to determine status, distribution, or that develops conservation recommendations for native species via surveys, inventories, and monitoring activities
• identify important and unique habitats and animals
• evaluate factors that contribute to habitat deterioration or limit population viability

Project Prioritization - 2008
SWG proposals that incorporate one or more of the following priority objectives will receive a 25% bonus to the project ranking score.

Species Status - Priority will be given to projects focused on species lacking essential information pertaining to status in Idaho (Appendix B, CWCS). Projects of this type may include surveys to determine distribution or abundance or taxonomic studies to clarify Idaho populations.

Development and Implementation of Conservation Actions - Priority will be given to projects that affect multiple species, target priority habitats or result in specific on the ground conservation actions. These projects should demonstrate a clear link between the proposed study and the subsequent implementation of conservation actions.

Monitoring Programs - Priority will be given to projects that tie biological responses to on-the-ground management actions within the context of the Adaptive Management framework.