For those of you dealing with conservation practices on private land, federal grant money—quite a lot of money—may be available. The Natural Resources Conservation Service will be providing up to $25 million in “Conservation Innovation Grants,” whose purpose is to encourage and develop new and creative conservation practices.
The grants are available to state and local governments, tribes, private businesses and individuals, and non-governmental organizations. The NRCS is especially interested in “innovative demonstration partnerships on energy conservation, nutrient management, soil health, wildlife habitat and adaptive management.”
At least half of the project cost must come from non-federal matching funds, including cash and in-kind contributions provided by the grant recipient. NRCS has been providing Conservation Innovation Grants since 2004.
You can find more information at http://go.usa.gov/4Kvx and can apply online at http://www.grants.gov. The application deadline is March 15.