The National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program extends and expands the benefits of the National Park Service to communities throughout the nation. To be considered for technical assistance in 2017 for your community-led conservation and outdoor recreation projects submit your project idea. Project ideas can include a bike path, a water trail, or a park. Apply by June 30th, 2016. See the NPS website for the application and additional information.
The Colorado Department of Natural Resources announced funding for wildfire risk reduction projects, through their Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant Program (WRRG). Two types of projects will be considered through this grant program: 1) Fuels treatment projects located in Colorado that reduce the risk of damage to property, infrastructure, water supplies, and other high-valued assets as a result of wildfire and/or limit the likelihood of wildfires spreading into populated areas; 2) Projects that address unmet needs for capacity at the local level. These grants are designed to provide communities with equipment that will enable them to treat hazardous fuels on state and private lands going forward. Application deadline is August 8th, 2016. For more information go to CDNR.US.
The National Forest Foundation (NFF) is pleased to announce the 2016 Barrett Foundation Business Concept Challenge to foster innovation in natural resource management. Founded by Craig Barrett, former Chairman and CEO of Intel Corporation and long-time Board Member of the NFF, the Challenge encourages and rewards innovative market-based solutions to natural resource issues affecting National Forests and Grasslands and hopes to cultivate a new generation of entrepreneurial natural resource and business leaders. The Barrett Foundation Business Concept Challenge offers a $75,000 cash award to the winning submission and a $25,000 cash award to the first runner-up. Submission Deadline is Monday, August 15, 2016 at 11:59 pm MDT. Application instructions and more information can be found at www.nationalforests.org.
Conservation Alliance Invites Nominations for Conservation Projects. The Conservation Alliance is a group of outdoor businesses that seeks to protect threatened wild places throughout North America for their habitat and recreational values. As a group of outdoor industry companies, alliance recognizes its responsibility to help protect the wild lands and waterways on which our customers recreate and wildlife thrives. Grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded for projects that seek to secure permanent and quantifiable protection of a specific wild land or waterway. Priority will be given to landscape-scale projects that have a clear benefit for habitat. In addition, campaigns should engage grassroots citizen action in support of the conservation effort and must have a clear recreational benefit. Nominations must be received no later than November 1, 2016. Upon review, selected nominees will be invited to submit full proposals by December 1, 2016. Visit the Conservation Alliance website for program guidelines, information about how to be nominated by an alliance member, and application procedures.
Grant opportunity from the National Park Service Challenge Cost Share Program. The Challenge Cost Share Program supports local projects that promote conservation and recreation, environmental stewardship, education, and engaging youth in the outdoors. Projects must benefit one or more NPS-administered park, National Trail, and/or Wild and Scenic River. For this year's funding, they are seeking to support projects that serve parks and promote bold innovation in one or more of three thematic categories: Urban Outreach: Projects to promote active healthy living, restore or conserve community natural and cultural assets, or promote close-to-home access to recreation within an urban setting. Youth Engagement: Projects to engage youth participants to play, learn, serve, and work associated with NPS sites. Connecting People to the Outdoors: Projects to enhance access to outdoor recreation opportunities. Eligible applicants are NPS-administered parks, including National Parks, National Trails, and Wild and Scenic Rivers. Applications are submitted by NPS staff in collaboration with project partners. Applications are due on July 1, 2016. For more information click HERE.