Public Property Grants

Public Property Grants

Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)

“Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) are competitive grants that drive public and private sector innovation in resource conservation. CIG projects inspire creative problem-solving—boosting production on farms, ranches, and private forests through improvements in water quality, soil health, and wildlife habitat.”

Eligibility:

CIG applications are accepted from state or local governments, federally-recognized American Indian tribes, non-governmental organizations, and individuals in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands), and the Pacific Islands Area (Guam, American Samoa, Pacific Islands Area).

Fact Sheet:

https://cig.sc.egov.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2021-07/NRCS-CIG_FarmBill2018_Factsheet.pdf


Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Project

“The Joint Chiefs' Landscape Restoration Partnership enables NRCS and the Forest Service to collaborate with agricultural producers, forest landowners, tribes and public land managers to invest in conservation and restoration at a big enough scale to make a positive difference. Working in partnership, and at this scale, helps reduce wildfire threats to communities, protect water quality and supply, and improve wildlife habitat for at-risk species. Through the new three-year projects, landowners will work with local USDA experts and partners to apply targeted forestry management practices on their land, such as hazardous fuel treatments, fire breaks, reforestation and other systems to meet unique forestry challenges in their area.”  

Eligibility:

“Joint Chiefs' project proposals are developed at the local level through a collaborative process between NRCS, Forest Service and partners. Past partners have included county, state, non-governmental, Tribal, utilities or private individual stakeholders. The collaboration process and partnerships will depend on the specific community needs of each project.”

How to apply:

“Proposals are submitted by the local NRCS and Forest Service offices to the national agency offices. Proposals are reviewed and vetted at multiple levels in the agencies based on local, state, Tribal and regional priorities.”


Land and Water Conservation Fund (LCWF)

Description:

“LWCF is designed to strengthen the health and vitality of local communities through generous funding for outdoor recreation land acquisition and development projects.”

Eligibility:

“Local, State, County, or Tribal government agencies in Colorado. Applicants must own the land where the project is situated in fee simple and agree to protect it in perpetuity for outdoor recreation.”

Funding:

“Grants ranging from $100,000 to $1,250,000 are available but must be matched 1:1 with at least 10% cash.”


Non-Motorized Trail Grants:

“The Colorado Non-Motorized Grants Program provides funding for projects to improve outdoor recreation opportunities, while protecting wildlife, habitat, and cultural resources. Funded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) and the Federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP), eligible project types include trail construction, maintenance, planning, and support.​”

Eligibility:

  • Local, County, Federal, or Tribal Government Agencies
  • Recreation and Metro Districts
  • Non-Profit Organizations”

Eligible Projects (there is no minimum request for any category):

  • Construction: Maximum Award of $250,000 – New trail or trailhead construction, including the installation or creation of new facilities where none currently exist.
  • Maintenance: Maximum Award of $250,000 - Maintenance, reroute, or reconstruction of existing trails or trailheads.
  • Planning: Maximum Award of $45,000 – Trail layout, design, engineering, feasibility studies, inventory, use studies, and analysis of existing and proposed trails.
  • Support:Maximum Award of $45,000 – Building and enhancement of volunteer organizations, increasing volunteer capacity, and implementing trail training and education.
  • Trail Stewardship Crews:Maximum Awards of $75,000 to $150,00 depending on crew size - Supporting stewardship crews to complete work on existing trail systems.

Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land.

Eligibility:

Entities that are classified as one of the following organizational types can serve as an eligible RCPP partner:

  • An agricultural or silvicultural producer association or other group of producers.
  • A state or unit of local government.
  • An Indian Tribe.
  • A farmer cooperative.
  • A water district, irrigation district, acequia, rural water district or association, or other organization with specific water delivery authority to agricultural producers.
  • A municipal water or wastewater treatment entity.
  • An institution of higher education.
  • An organization, business or entity with an established history of working cooperatively with producers, as determined by NRCS, to address: a. local conservation priorities related to agricultural production, wildlife habitat development, or nonindustrial private forest land management; orb. critical watershed-scale soil erosion, water quality, sediment reduction, or other natural resource issues.
  • An entity, such as an Indian Tribe, state government, local government, or a non-governmental organization, that has a farmland or grassland protection program that purchases agricultural land easements, as defined in 7 CFR 1468.3.
  • A conservation district.

How to apply:

Use this link to go to the “How to apply” page: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/rcpp-regional-conservation-partnership-program/how-to-apply


RESTORE Colorado Program (GOCO)

Established in 2019, RESTORE is a strategic partnership designed to fund large-scale habitat restoration and stewardship projects across prioritized habitats. Funding partners include GOCO, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), Gates Family Foundation, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and the Colorado Water Conservation Board

Together, the partners have identified several habitat types and priority landscapes to support, including:

  • River corridors, riparian areas, and wetlands
  • Eastern Colorado grasslands
  • Sagebrush
  • Big-game winter range and migration routes
  • Forestland projects in specific geographies

Eligibility:

“Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations, U.S. Federal government agencies, state government agencies and other political subdivisions of the state, local and municipal governments, Tribes, and educational institutions. Ineligible applicants include businesses and unincorporated individuals.”

How to apply:

Use this link to scroll down to the application information: https://www.nfwf.org/programs/rocky-mountain-rangelands/restore-colorado-program?activeTab=tab-2


CDA Noxious Weed Management Fund Grant Program

Eligibility:

“Local governing bodies,” as defined in the Colorado Noxious Weed Act, Title 35-5.5-103(11), are the primary focus of this grant program. These include counties and municipalities. Other eligible entities include conservation districts, non-profit organizations, and organized private entities such as road associations, and homeowner’s associations.”

How to apply:

This link is for the RFA, reading is required. IT is mainly informational but important: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g3ihkhNEtst9Eb3DJoOqA6dJ1U_SHeup/view

This link is the application: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ztindx6KO3g0IlE-Z_gvgF5RjPupD_oT/view


Forest Restoration & Wildfire Risk Mitigation (FRWRM)

Eligibility:

The following individuals, organizations or entities may apply:

  • Local community groups, including registered homeowner associations and formal neighborhood associations, that are located within or are in close proximity to the WUI
  • Local government entities including counties, municipalities, fire protection districts and other special districts in or within close proximity to the WUI
  • Public or private utilities, including water providers, with infrastructure or land ownership in areas with high risk of catastrophic wildfires
  • State agencies, such as the State Land Board and Colorado Parks and Wildlife, that own land in areas with high risk of catastrophic wildfires
  • Non-profit groups that promote hazardous forest fuel reduction treatment projects or are engaged in firefighting or fire management activities

NOTE: Projects that benefit only one individual do NOT qualify.

How to apply:

Application period is August 16 – Oct. 18

Local CSFS office and municipality/county should be contacted in partnership with this application

More information

For more information on Palmer's landowner services program, please contact us. We'd be honored to discuss how we can support you and your vision for your property.

CONTACT
Theron Verna
Land Stewardship Manager
(719) 941-9428
Email