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The Papoose Conservation Wildlife Foundation in Del Mar, California, is unique in that it focuses on both wildlife science and children's experiences in nature and seeks to merge these two missions to see children become the scientists of tomorrow working to preserve wildlife diversity. To advance this mission, the foundation is inviting applications for its Children in Nature and Applied Conservation grants programs. Through the program, grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded in two separate categories: Children in Nature - Programs aimed at providing opportunities for children to explore nature or expand children's appreciation of nature. Programs may include classroom learning but the majority of the program must take place in a natural environment. Preference is given to projects connecting children to lesser-recognized species or habitats. Applied Conservation - Projects focused on the conservation of free-ranging wildlife or plant species in their natural habitat. Work may include the protection of species and/or habitats. Preference is given to projects focused on lesser-recognized species.

The Prince Bernhard Nature Fund was established in 1994 by the late Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands. The Fund's mission is to support small, preferably local initiatives towards the conservation and wise use of nature and our natural resource base.  The Prince Bernhard Nature Fund aims to help save critically endangered flora and fauna in the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia and Latin America. 

The Fund for Wild Nature's board is rooted in biocentrism and believes that native species and healthy ecosystems are too essential to be sacrificed. Wild areas are increasingly rare and under relentless pressure from a variety of threats. Yet these wild areas constitute the main reservoirs of biodiversity, and provide key scientific reference points for our understanding of the planet's wondrous cycles of birth, life, death, and decay. Wild nature, and the native flora and fauna within, also provide priceless ecosystem services, including clean air, water, pollination, and climate regulation, which are vital to life on Earth. Our goal is to fund groups that recognize the inherent value of wild places and work to preserve and protect natural systems. We support efforts that challenge destructive policies and actions: bold groups that often face tough odds and politically and economically powerful opponents. Hope for the future depends upon active, informed, and passionate people who defend wild nature. Our strength is in the groups we fund and the donors that give us the opportunity to invest in wild nature.

The Dynamics of Coupled Natural and Human Systems (CNH) Program promotes interdisciplinary analyses of relevant human and natural system processes and complex interactions among human and natural systems at diverse scales.

Over the past five years, BLM has worked in partnership to disseminate information on plant conservation, native plant materials development, pollinators and the National Seed Strategy to support persons engaged in identifying, protecting, managing, and studying natural areas and biological diversity across landscapes and ecosystems. The National Seed Strategy calls for Federal and non-Federal partners to promote the development, production, and use of native plants in restoration projects across the country. Goal 1 of the National Seed Strategy calls for a national assessment of native seed needs and capacities. This partner would liaise with natural area managers to ensure their needs are included. Goal 3 of the National Seed Strategy is development of decision tools for managers and this partnership would translate science into on-the ground information through a webinar series. Goal 4 of the National Seed Strategy is communication and this partner would publish a quarterly journal with scientific articles on research and stewardship activities in natural areas, including ecological monitoring, inventorying techniques, restoration and native seed.

he U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Mexican Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) are soliciting proposals under the Wildlife Without Borders-Mexico Program for projects that address Mexico's capacity building for biodiversity conservation. Program Goal: Build human and institutional capacity for biodiversity conservation and management in Mexico through training. Of interest are projects that provide direct and significant training to Mexican personnel in terms of the number of individuals trained, the strategic or innovative nature of the training, and the impact of the training on the conservation of biodiversity. Program Objectives: * To address the training needs of Mexican natural resources managers for managing and conserving biodiversity; * To provide local communities access to training that links sound management practices in priority biodiversity areas with the creation of sustainable economic opportunities; * To involve key stakeholder groups to address biodiversity conservation challenges to enable the delivery and implementation of effective conservation actions.

Coastal SEES is focused on the sustainability of coastal systems. For this solicitation we define coastal systems as the swath of land closely connected to the sea, including barrier islands, wetlands, mudflats, beaches, estuaries, cities, towns, recreational areas, and maritime facilities; the continental seas and shelves; and the overlying atmosphere. Scientific understanding is foundational and must include an understanding of reciprocal feedbacks between humans and the natural environment; how people and organizations interpret, assess, and act upon scientific and other evidence; and how they weigh these interpretations against other interests to influence governance and decision-making. Thus, coastal sustainability relies on broad and intimately interconnected areas of scholarship about natural and human processes. Coastal SEES projects will be expected to lead to generalizable theoretical advances in natural sciences and engineering while, at the same time, integrating key aspects of human processes required to address issues of coastal sustainability.

2015 Forest Service National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant Deadline: December 15, 2015 The Secretary of Agriculture has a congressionally designated advisory council that assists the U.S. Forest Service in establishing the grant categories and recommendations of final proposals for the Forest Service to consider. This is the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC). The Council serves to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on the status of the nation's urban and community forests and related natural resources. The NUCFAC seeks to establish sustainable urban and community forests, by encouraging communities of all sizes to manage and protect their natural resources, which, if well managed, improves the public's health, well-being, economic vitality, and creates resilient ecosystems for present and future generations. The Council recommends urban and community forestry projects that have national or multi-state application and impact through the U.S. Forest Service's competitive Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant Program. This year, the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC) has identified three national grant categories: 1. Analysis and Solutions for Development and Redevelopment Impacts on Urban and Community Forests, 2. Building Human Health Through Urban and Community Forestry, and 3. Climate Change and Its Impact on Trees and Water. An applicant may apply to more than one category; however they are to use a separate application for each category. The purpose of these grants is to address national issues. This RFP is not for local or State-wide projects. Click on link http://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/nucfac.shtml for full information on the 2016 Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant. Search [CFDA number: 10.675], or [Grant Opportunity No.: USDA-FS-UCF-01-2016]. The grant applications are to be submitted through www.grants.gov. Contact Nancy Stremple, Natural Re

Mexico makes up only one percent of the Earth���s land area, but is home to an impressive one-twelfth of all of the species known to science. A megadiverse country, Mexico is also a major center of origin and domestication of plants and a key flora and fauna dispersal corridor. Its rainforests are among the richest reservoirs of biological material on the planet, and its diverse habitats are home to a broad array of wildlife, including many seasonal residents that migrate to and from the U.S. and other areas. Despite the multiple efforts and initiatives by local authorities, international agencies, non-government organizations and donors, Mexico���s astonishing natural diversity remains threatened by habitat loss and degradation, agricultural encroachment and intensification, invasive alien species, human intrusion and disturbance, illegal wildlife trade, poaching and human-wildlife conflicts. In response to these challenges, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (the Service) together with the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources of Mexico (SEMARNAT) established the Wildlife Without Borders ��� Mexico program, as a cooperative effort between the United States and Mexico to preserve our shared natural heritage. Program Goal: To conserve priority species, habitats and ecological processes across landscapes with high biodiversity value in Mexico. Authorizing Legislation: Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-43)

This Funding Announcement is not a request for applications. This announcement is to provide public notice of the National Park Service, intention to fund the following project activities without competition. North Cascades Institute (NCI) is a nationally regarded nonprofit environmental organization maintained in the State of Washington, and is dedicated to increasing understanding and appreciation of the natural and cultural landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. The Institute's mission is to conserve and restore Northwest environments through education. The Institute was created for the specific purpose of providing programs of public education and involvement in conservation, natural science, history and related fields of study, in order to foster and enhance understanding and appreciation of the North Cascades bioregion. NCI has been a valued partner of North Cascades National Park Complex (NOCA) since 1986. The two agencies have a solid track record of cooperatively developing successful, cost-effective programs that meet both park and Institute educational and budgetary goals. NCI is considered to be the lead educational partner of NOCA, providing over $2.6 million in integrated education programming during the 29-year relationship. NCI operates the residential North Cascades Environmental Learning Center, an 11.6 million dollar facility which is imbedded within NOCA as required by a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) agreement with Seattle City Light, operator of three hydroelectric dams within NOCA. The Learning Center is one of the required mitigation elements for Seattle City Light's federal FERC license for continued operation of three hydroelectric reservoirs on the Skagit River. The NPS and the Institute are mutually interested and desire to cooperate in conducting interpretive activities, public education, and training related to the understanding, protection, and management of the natural and cultural resources of (1) the North Cascades ecosys

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 1. Authority This Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Federal Financial Assistance Funding Opportunity is being announced under the following legislative authority: WATERSHED RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT AGREEMENTS (WYDEN AMENDMENT), Public Law 104-208, Section 124, as amended Public Law 105-277, Section 136, which states: "Appropriations made for the BLM may be used by the Secretary of Interior for the purpose of entering into cooperative agreements with the heads of other Federal agencies, Tribal, State, and local governments, private and nonprofit entities, and landowners for the protection, restoration, and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat and other resources on public or private land and the reduction of risk from natural disaster where public safety is threatened that benefit these resources on public lands within the watershed, and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat and other resources on public or private land and the reduction of risk from natural disaster where public safety is threatened that benefit these resources on public lands within the watershed." 2. Description of Program and/or Project a. Background: The Yuma Field Office includes many acres along the lower Colorado and Gila Rivers. Extensive damming and conversion to upland has re-characterized the lands along the river that once were natural system, but are now dominated by invasive species. An increase in wildland fires in these areas also greatly affect the reduction in native vegetation and increase in invasive species. Rehabilitation efforts to improve sites offer migratory birds and other wildlife species native habitat for foraging and potential nesting. The Walker Fire in December of 2014 burned 1,110 acres of native marsh and riparian habitat. This area is home to the largest population of the Federally endangered Yuma clapper rail. The native riparian habitat also provides migratory habitat for the southwestern willow flycatcher. The Walker ESR Plan outline

NRCS is the Department of Agriculture's (USDA) conservation agency working with farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners nationwide to identify and address natural resource objectives in balance with operational goals in order to benefit soil, water, wildlife, and related natural resources locally, regionally, and nationally. NRCS works in partnership with other entities to accelerate getting conservation on the ground. Through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), NRCS seeks to co-invest with partners in innovative, workable, and cost-effective approaches to benefit farming, ranching, and forest operations, local economies, and the communities and resources in a watershed or other geographic area. RCPP partners develop project applications, as described in this notice, to address specific natural resource objectives in a proposed area or region.

The Southwest Border Resource Protection Program (SWBRPP), located within the National Park Service (NPS) Intermountain Regional Office in Denver, provides financial assistance to NPS units, as well as educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, tribes, and local and state agencies to improve resource stewardship, achieve international cooperation, provide meaningful interpretation and conduct scientific research, which will lead to increased appreciation and understanding of our shared natural and cultural heritage along our international border with Mexico. Several National Parks located along the U.S. border with Mexico have recently experienced serious resource damage due to illegal cross border activities including drug traffickers and undocumented persons traversing the parks. Other national park units within the desert southwest have also experienced impacts to their natural and cultural resources. Thousands of miles of unauthorized roads and trails have been created, major ecological processes and the migration patterns of wildlife have been disrupted, important historic sites have been vandalized, and archaeological sites have been looted. Program funding is available for conducting scientific research and monitoring of species, as well as conservation, interpretation and preservation projects designed to help protect and preserve natural and cultural resources located near or along our international border.

This project will create a Cultural Landscapes Inventory (CLI) and associated National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) nomination for the primary tourist walkways within the underground landscape of CAVE. The project will include an inventory and analysis of all associated cultural features, impacts and relationships with cave natural systems, and views associated with the trail system. The documents will contain a historic context, statement of significance, and evaluation of integrity of the inventoried resources and underground cultural landscape. A Determination of Eligibility (DOE) will result from this process. If found eligible, a NRHP nomination will be completed. As a living document, the CLI is updated every 6-10 years. The initial research created in this document will provide a baseline for cave monitoring, including how natural and cultural resources impact each other over time to guide park management strategies in the future. The final project reports and findings will be uploaded to IRMA, the NPS public access site. The project will engage student involvement through partnership with the University of Arkansas. Student engagement insures training of next generation scientists and preservation professionals. This project will focus on collaboration between cultural and natural resources, providing a critical and unique learning experience.

The objectives of this Agreement are to improve the resilience of once-forested areas under warming and drying climate by collecting seeds from trees located in BAND that appear to drought-resistant, propagating those seeds, and planting seedlings that are within the natural range of variability for the biophysical setting of BAND, but may be better suited to the warmer drier site; and to conduct research that will inform future restoration projects in post-burned areas. In accordance with Section 4.4.2.2 of MP2006, the genetic type used in these plantings would approximate the extirpated genetic type because all of the seeds will have been collected from within BAND and the seedlings will be planted within the natural range of variability for those species. Replanting would occur on sites severely burned during recent human-caused wildfires in BAND. These fires have burned with uncharacteristic severity, the extent of which is far outside the range of historical variability. Recovery along a natural successional pathway is impeded by the extent of the high-severity patches.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) intends to enter into a nationwide cooperative agreement with a nonprofit organization (Recipient) for training and education services relating to natural resources conservation and outdoor recreation management. Funds are intended to provide young adults and veterans with real life work experiences in stewardship of the environment in all fifty states by offering opportunities for education, leadership and personal development to the Recipient's participants, while providing a high quality public service in natural resources/recreation management and conservation. Recipient must have an extensive history of providing young people and veterans with opportunities to serve within the leading federal land management agencies, providing hands-on career training, internships and other education programs to young adults and veterans. Recipient recruits, selects, trains and places qualified young adults and veterans to serve in support of conservation and recreation management projects and has the capability and expertise to provide a series of conservation/recreation management experiences for youth ranging from high school to post graduate that collectively comprise a continuous opportunity for young adults to enhance their understanding of conservation and prepare for careers in natural resources/recreation management. Recipient has the experience, plant capacity and demonstrated capability to immediately and successfully place interns and conservation crews at over 400 USACE lake and river projects and other sites nationwide to include all fifty states in the United States.

The Mountaineers Foundation promotes the study of the mountains, forests and streams of the Pacific Northwest, and contributes to preserving its natural beauty and ecological integrity. We fund modest, short-term projects consistent with those purposes, with a maximum grant normally at $5000. Our funding criteria are based on our by-laws, articles of incorporation, and status as an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) organization. We Support selected projects of 501(c)(3) or of other non-profit organizations and of certain agencies such as libraries and schools; and, occasionally, projects by individuals. research about the natural environment: studies that will yield new data aimed at protecting Northwest wilderness and wildlife biologic, economic, legal, or policy studies direct educational programs and materials related to environmental preservation lectures, conferences, seminars written or audiovisual awareness materials curriculum or other instructional materials publication of conference proceedings, journal articles other fundable projects: seed or pilot studies that can be continued with funding from other sources selected capital improvement projects (e.g., restoration; assistance in purchasing equipment/materials)

Recipients will provide support to the Natural Resourceprograms at Joint Base Langley-Eustis and Joint Base Andrews InstallationSupport Section Air Force. The recipientwill provided evaluation, management and treatment of invasive species, forestedareas, and wildlife survey as outlined in the Integrated Natural ResourcesManagement Plan (INRMP). Severalinvasive plant species impact various military missions including training andforce protection, reduces biodiversity, and impacts long-term land sustainment.

From rangeland management to protection of cultural resources; fire suppression to energy development; trails and travel management to National Conservation Lands, the BLM values public involvement and a collaborative environment. When we facilitate activities and uses of the public lands, they are designed, permitted, and monitored with the goal of retaining or returning the land to a healthy condition once the use or activity ends. Our objective is to provide opportunities for youth (ages 16-30 years of age) to engage in BLM cultural and natural resource conservation-related projects and to increase public awareness and appreciation of those resources and recreational resource values found on public lands. These projects will provide participants with a mix of work experience, education, training, community involvement and support services, as well as the opportunity to develop citizenship values and skills through service to their community and the United States. As the young men and women gain experience in natural and cultural resource management, they will also develop an appreciation for public lands and learn about conservation-related career fields

The goals of this agreement are to engage approximately 20 youth in a park-based educational/recreational experience to learn and apply science, engineering, and best practices for protecting natural sounds and night skies in national parks, while fostering an awareness and appreciation of recreation opportunities in national parks. The objectives are to advance recreational access for non-traditional/underserved park visitors (e.g., youth who haven¿t visited parks due to socio-economics or perceived barriers based on physical, hearing, or visual impairments); use recreation to develop understanding and appreciation of national parks and public lands; impart knowledge to enhance park resources, values, and visitor experience; and leverage funding through cost-sharing. The outcomes will include: 1) increased recreational access, 2) application of best practices developed to benefit resource conditions and visitor experience, 3) improved natural soundscapes and night skies through noise and light reduction service activities, 4) increased relevancy of national parks.