Klamath Basin Forests and Watersheds Restoration 2025 Request for Proposals

Applicant Webinar [Register here]: January 21, 2025, 11:00 AM PST/2:00 PM EST
Full Proposal Due Date: February 25, 2025, by 8:59 PM PST/11:59 PM EST

        
GRANTMAKING PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Klamath River Basin is an ecosystem of national and regional significance. From its headwaters just south of Crater Lake in Oregon, the Klamath River flows through a complex of National Wildlife Refuges, six National Forests, and ultimately into the Pacific Ocean, covering an area of more than 12,000 square miles – approximately the size of Maryland. River, riparian, lake, and wetland habitats in the Upper Klamath Basin historically supported healthy populations of culturally and economically important fish such as Lost River and shortnose suckers. Additionally, the Klamath River was once the third-most prolific salmon run in the lower 48 states. Anadromous species of the Klamath River Basin include fall- and spring-run Chinook salmon, coho salmon, Pacific lamprey, green sturgeon, and steelhead trout. The anadromous fish of the Klamath not only have inestimable value to Tribes in the Klamath Basin, but these fish are also a major economic engine for northern California and much of the Oregon coast ocean salmon fisheries.¹ 

Today, the restoration and protection of fish habitat in the Klamath River Basin is entering a new chapter. In the summer of 2024, four dams were decommissioned and removed on the mainstem of the Klamath River. The removal of these dams in California and Oregon is the largest dam removal project in the history of the United States and will open up over 400 miles of historical anadromous fish habitat for the first time in nearly 100 years.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has been active in voluntary habitat restoration activities throughout the Klamath River Basin for over 30 years, awarding federal, state, and private funds to help voluntarily stabilize and increase the populations of native suckers in the Upper Klamath Basin and improve anadromous fish habitat below the recently decommissioned dams. NFWF in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture – U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is pleased to announce the Klamath Basin Forests and Watersheds Restoration Request for Proposals (RFP). In 2025, NFWF anticipates awarding up to $11,553,000 in grant funding to support fish and wildlife conservation, restoration, and monitoring projects across the Klamath Basin. This total includes:

• $7,040,000 from the Shasta Valley Regional Conservation Partnership Program for: Upstream water conservation and water quality improvement projects; conveyance efficiency projects with instream dedication; and on-farm water conservation, irrigation efficiency, and monitoring projects.
• $2,000,000 from the Conservation Partners Program for: Projects that build capacity and provide technical assistance to agricultural producers seeking to voluntarily adopt regenerative agriculture systems and conservation practices on private working and forest lands.
• $1,793,000 in Upper Klamath Watershed Resilience funding for: Outreach and technical assistance to private landowners developing conservation plans focused on mitigation activities to improve soil health, water quality, and water quantity outcomes. Projects will improve instream and off-channel habitat, aquatic organism passage, water quality, wetland ecosystems to benefit watershed resilience, and native fish conservation.
• $720,000 in Fremont-Winema National Forest Headwaters Enhancement and Monitoring funding for: Planning, design, implementation, and monitoring of projects to restore freshwater marshes, springs meadows, and forest health on the Fremont-Winema National Forest with emphasis on the Wood, Williamson, and Sprague River watersheds. A portion of this funding is specifically reserved for monitoring of headwater restoration activities to document the efficacy of forest health and riparian restoration work.

More detailed information on program priorities and funding guidelines is included below.

 

GEOGRAPHIC TARGET AREAS

For the Shasta Valley Regional Conservation Partnership Program: Projects must be located within the Shasta River watershed including Big Springs Creek, Parks Creek, or other tributaries.

For the Conservation Partners Program: Projects must be located on private agricultural working lands in the Klamath River Basin.

For Upper Klamath Watershed Resilience: Projects must be located within the Klamath Basin in Oregon, from key tributary rivers originating on National Park and Forest Service land to Upper Klamath Lake and its surrounding agricultural lands.

For Fremont-Winema National Forest Headwaters Enhancement and Monitoring: Projects must be located within the Fremont-Winema National Forest.

 

PROGRAM PRIORITIES

Priorities and guidelines for each funding partnership supported by this RFP are outlined below. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to reference NFWF’s California Forests and Watersheds Business Plan and the California Forests and Watersheds Digital Business Plan for opportunities to enhance project competitiveness by linking Business Plan strategies and work in focal areas for priority species whenever possible. Additionally, projects that incorporate baseline monitoring and take steps to measure and account for habitat and species impact will be prioritized. Overall, projects which address a watershed approach and are collaborative in scope with multiple supportive stakeholders will be prioritized.

Shasta Valley Regional Conservation Partnership Program (Shasta Valley Program):
Total funds available: $7,040,000
Projects to be awarded: 4 - 6
Anticipated award range: $200,000 - $2,000,000

The Shasta Valley Program is supported by a Regional Conservation Partnership Program Alternative Funding Arrangement with NRCS and will fund voluntary activities that advance recovery of Southern Oregon Northern California Coast (SONCC) coho salmon in the Shasta River watershed. Program funds will be used to support actions that improve upstream management, conveyance efficiency, and on-farm water management to enhance instream flows, improve water quality, and address inadequate habitat for fish. Due to federal environmental compliance considerations by NRCS, proposed project work must not be included within the Shasta River Safe Harbor Agreement project list.

Proposed projects must include an implementation component. All funded water conservation projects under this program must be paired with formal measures to protect instream flows. Additionally, please note that funding through the Shasta Valley Program is subject to Farm Bill policy regarding indirect costs, technical assistance funds, and financial assistance funds. Project types that will be given the highest priority for Shasta Valley Program funding include: 

Upstream water conservation and water quality improvement projects:
These projects are necessary to provide adequate habitat for native fish at every life stage. Proposals should demonstrate how the project will conserve water and improve water quality through existing monitoring data or propose to gather data necessary to demonstrate benefits. Projects to conserve upstream water and improve water quality include:

• Source switch projects (e.g., using reservoir water and leaving cold spring water instream)
• Riparian fencing and planting 
• Effectiveness monitoring projects

Conveyance and transmission efficiency projects:
These projects are necessary to improve instream flows and water quality by leaving more water instream for longer periods and/or reducing diversion volume. Projects should demonstrate water savings anticipated by providing ditch loss test results or propose to gather needed data and define how and when ditch loss will be left instream. Projects to improve conveyance and transmission efficiency include:

• Modifying, replacing, and moving diversion structures
• Combining, splitting, or rotating diversions
• Improving or replacing piping
• Canal and ditch lining

On-farm water conservation projects:
These projects are necessary to improve instream flows and water quality throughout the Basin by reducing diversion volume, which will be particularly important during drought periods. On-farm water conservation project proposals should consider a productive grounds analysis, provide qualified information on baseline water use, integrate soil moisture sensing, demonstrate water quality benefits, or define the volume of water conserved. On-farm water conservation projects include:

• Conversion of irrigation type to reduce volume of water diverted (e.g., wildland flood irrigation to buried mainlines or sprinklers)
• Installation of soil moisture monitoring systems
• Transition to alternative stock watering systems

Conservation Partners Program:
Total funds available: $2,000,000
Projects to be awarded: 3 - 5
Anticipated award range: $200,000 - $700,000

This year, the Conservation Partners Program will award competitive grants that accelerate the adoption of regenerative agriculture principles and conservation practices on private working lands in the Klamath Basin. Grant recipients will provide technical assistance to interested farmers and ranchers to help them develop management plans, design and implement conservation practices, share their experiences and lessons learned, and participate in Farm Bill programs, especially the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).

Grants will be targeted to projects that can both fulfill unmet technical assistance needs and maximize the soil, water, and wildlife benefits of the Farm Bill conservation programs listed above. A particular emphasis should be placed on promoting, designing, and implementing Agriculture and Forestry conservation practices and projects that support the Western Water and Working Lands Framework for Conservation Action. Successful projects will also seek to increase Farm Bill program participation and practice implementation among Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis producers and forestland owners. Please ensure that the project is in alignment with NRCS goals and priorities by conferring with the NRCS State Conservationist and their staff in the state in which your project is located. A list of NRCS contacts can be found here. Please note that grantees applying for capacity building funds may be required to report on additional performance metrics related to capacity building and conservation planning to be negotiated between NFWF and the grantee after award decisions have been made. Outcomes proposed should comply with NRCS Conservation Practice Standards. 

Upper Klamath Watershed Resilience: 
Total funds available: $1,793,000
Projects to be awarded: 2 - 4
Anticipated award range: $100,000 - $500,000

An additional funding agreement with NRCS will offer grants to organizations or private landowners within the Upper Klamath Basin in Oregon. Program funds will be used to provide outreach and technical assistance to private landowners to develop conservation plans that restore and protect instream and off-channel habitat, restore cold-water springs and refugia habitat, improve aquatic organism passage, improve water quality, enhance instream habitat in flow-limited watersheds, restore the form and function of wetland ecosystems, or improve forest management to benefit watershed resilience and native fish conservation. This funding is intended to increase the delivery and implementation of Farm Bill programs and practices including, but not limited to, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, Conservation Reserve Program, Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, and Working Lands for Wildlife priorities. Details for each of these programs can be found by clicking on the hyperlinks above. 

Fremont-Winema National Forest Headwaters Enhancement and Monitoring: 
Total funds available: $720,000
Projects to be awarded: 2 - 4
Anticipated award range: $50,000 - $450,000

The Fremont-Winema National Forest is host to some of the most important headwaters in the entire Klamath Basin. These key rivers are home to the threatened northern spotted owl, redband rainbow trout, endangered Lost River sucker, endangered shortnose sucker, and the state-sensitive Miller Lake lamprey. Adjacent freshwater marshes, springs, and meadows are not only critical sources of water during the hot summer months, but also can act as natural fuel breaks, and are important thermal refuges to key aquatic species. These forests and associated habitats will soon see the return of salmonids as a result of Klamath River dam removal.

Wood River: The Wood River flows 18 miles through the Fremont-Winema National Forest, Bureau of Land Management land, and private property in southern Oregon. Its watershed consists of 220 square miles of conifer forest, rural pastureland, and marsh. The river provides habitat for many species of wildlife including resident populations of redband rainbow trout.

Sprague River: The Sprague River is a tributary of the Williamson River and is approximately 75 miles long. It drains an arid volcanic plateau region east of the Cascade Range in the watershed of the Klamath River. It joins the Williamson River from the east at Chiloquin, about 10 miles north of the Williamson River mouth on Upper Klamath Lake.

Williamson River: The Williamson River is approximately 100 miles long and drains 3,000 square miles east of the Cascade Range. Its largest tributary is the Sprague River and together, the two rivers provide over half the inflow to Upper Klamath Lake.

Funded in partnership with U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, this solicitation will support comprehensive strategic forest health investments at the intersection of communities, National Forests, fish and wildlife, and water quality. Program funds will be used to support projects that increase forest resilience and enhance habitat for fish and wildlife through implementation of the USFS Wildfire Crisis Implementation Plan. Priority project types include:

Forest health restoration: These projects are designed to address the historic wildfire challenges faced by western forests. Investments in these projects will improve the capacity of the Fremont-Winema National Forest to effectively identify and address resource management issues caused by wildfires, aid ecological management and recovery, and build fuel breaks to support the goals of ecological restoration.  

Forest health restoration projects may include implementation, planning, or design for the following activities:

• Shaded fuel breaks: Projects using shaded fuel breaks to provide defensible space and increase the probability of successful protective actions during fire events, while including considerations for ecological function and integrity beyond that which would be provided by standard fuel break lines. 
• Thinning: In this context, thinning refers to any management strategies utilizing mechanical or hand treatments to remove and process selected vegetation from the landscape to improve overall forest health, increase resistance to severe wildfire and other environmental stressors, and help increase recovery and persistence of ecosystems when fire, drought, or other disruptive events occur.
• Prescribed fire: Projects using fire to reduce the build-up of fuels and reintroduce fire as part of the natural processes in fire-adapted ecosystems to help reduce the intensity and severity of future fires and improve the health and resilience of the forest environment. 

Reforestation projects: These projects include the replanting of native trees, shrubs, and other plant species to restore ecological function and recover areas impacted by wildfire. Areas for reforestation should be thoughtfully considered, and conducted where natural recovery is unlikely, or where certain conditions exist that demand a faster and more certain outcome (e.g., to ensure invasive vegetation does not establish), and where/as appropriate in the face of climate change. Reforestation includes all aspects of site recovery - from seed collection and plant propagation, to site preparation, to planting, to post-planting watering (if necessary) and maintenance until the restored plants are established.

Meadow restoration projects: The Fremont-Winema National Forest contains mountain meadows that provide important habitat for many animal species, especially during dry summer months. However, development, conifer encroachment, and high-intensity wildfire have resulted in the deterioration of many of the Fremont-Winema’s mountain meadows. Meadow restoration can increase groundwater levels, recharge streams, and enhance habitat for fish and wildlife.

Key conservation actions include:

• Repairing meadow degradation: supporting restoration projects in meadow systems in which it will be possible to quantify benefits; 
• Ensuring long-term protection: supporting land protection and deploying best management practices; 
• Garnering support of ranching community: improving information flow and providing technical assistance; and, 
• Monitoring and documenting ecological and biological responses to meadow restoration.

Forest health species monitoring: Forest health projects are an important tool for reducing the threat of high intensity wildfire. Much of this work thins unnaturally overgrown forested areas and helps eliminate “ladder fuels” in strategic areas in the forest’s understory to reduce the severity of fires. While doing this work, it is also critically important to get baseline and post-project species monitoring to showcase efficacy and response and inform fuel treatment design to maximize benefits to fish and wildlife across the landscape.

Species monitoring plays a key role not only in understanding the efficacy of a project, but also the ability to celebrate the successes of species presence and abundance after implementation actions. Monitoring plans should clearly articulate the key management or conservation questions to be addressed, expected data types and sources to be used, and analysis methods employed. Successful projects will develop initial species abundance and post-project outcomes to provide pre-project and long-term utility for developing best management practices for forest health work during future project implementation.  

Collaborative projects that align conservation actions which emanate on the Fremont-Winema National Forest, link with private landowners downstream through both the Upper Klamath Watershed Resilience and the Fremont-Winema National Forest Headwaters Enhancement and Monitoring funding sources, and showcase a watershed approach, will be prioritized.

 

PROJECT METRICS

To better gauge progress on individual grants and to ensure greater consistency of project data provided by multiple grant projects, the Klamath Basin Forests and Watersheds Restoration RFP has a list of metrics in Easygrants for full proposal applicants to choose from for reporting (commonly used metrics are shown in the table below). We ask that you select the most relevant metrics from this list for your project. If you do not believe an applicable metric has been provided, please contact Erica Engstrom (Erica.Engstrom@nfwf.org) to discuss acceptable alternatives.

Project Activity	Recommended Metric	Additional Guidance
Habitat Restoration – Fish passage improvements	# Passage barriers assessed and/or with design plans	Enter the # of instream barriers with assessments or engineering/design plans completed in this grant. In the NOTES, provide the barrier’s SARP ID (see aquaticbarriers.org). If the barrier(s) is not in SARP, provide its latitude/longitude or its name and source.
Habitat Restoration – Fish passage improvements	# Passage barriers rectified	Enter the # of instream barriers removed/rectified in this grant. In the NOTES, provide the barrier’s SARP ID (see aquaticbarriers.org). If the barrier(s) is not in SARP, provide its latitude/longitude or its name and source.
Habitat Restoration – Fish passage improvements	Miles of stream opened	Enter the number of miles of stream made accessible to aquatic organism passage. NFWF prefers that this metric indicate the miles of upstream habitat until the next barrier upstream (or end of flowline) as well as the miles of downstream habitat until the next barrier downstream using PADnew (see https://www.calfish.org/ProgramsData/HabitatandBarriers/CaliforniaFishPassageAssessmentDatabase.aspx). This estimate should include both the mainstem of the stream or river and smaller tributaries. If another data source or methodology is used, please describe it in the NOTES.
Habitat Restoration – Floodplain restoration	Acres restored	Enter # of floodplain acres restored. In the NOTES, indicate % of vegetation on the pre-project site (0-20%, 21-40%, 41-60%, 61-80%, 81-100%) and the dominant vegetation being restored (broadleaf, conifer, redwood, shrub, grass, marsh, wet meadow, swamp).
Habitat Restoration – Instream restoration	# Structures installed	Enter the number of habitat structures installed, replaced, upgraded, or repaired for improvement of instream habitat.
Habitat Restoration – Instream restoration	Miles restored	Enter the number of stream miles enhanced or restored. Include modifications to stream channel (shape, cross-section, or profile) or meander pattern, placement of large woody debris or log jams, etc.
Habitat Restoration – Land restoration	Acres of trees planted	Enter the number of acres of trees planted. In the NOTES, specify landcover type prior to planting (barren, cropland, grassland, shrubland), average number of trees per acre planted, and forest type (broadleaf, conifer, redwood, shrub).
Habitat Restoration – Land restoration	Acres restored	Enter the number of acres of habitat restored. In the NOTES, specify landcover prior to restoration (barren, cropland, grassland, shrubland) and post-restoration (broadleaf, conifer, redwood, grassland, shrubland, marsh, wet meadow, tidal marsh, swamp).
Habitat Restoration – Riparian restoration	Acres restored	Enter the number of riparian acres restored. In the NOTES, specify the landcover type prior to planting (barren, cropland, grassland, shrubland), the % of vegetation on the pre-project site (0-20%, 21-40%, 41-60%, 61-80%, 81-100%), the dominant vegetation being planted (broadleaf, conifer, shrub, grass), the buffer width, and the acres. DO NOT include instream restoration miles in this measurement.
Habitat Restoration – Wetland restoration	Acres restored	Wetlands in this context refer to off and side channel habitat and ponds created to provide refugia for coho. Enter # acres of WETLAND (not riparian or instream) habitat restored. In the NOTES, specify landcover prior to restoration (marsh, tidal marsh, wet meadow, swamp) and indicate % of vegetation on pre-project site (0-20%, 21-40%, 41-60%, 61-80%, 81-100%).
Habitat Management – Improved irrigation practices	Acre feet of water conserved	Enter the number of acre feet of water expected to be conserved annually.
Habitat Management – BMP implementation for prescribed burns	Acres burned	Enter the number of acres with prescribed burning. In the NOTES, specify if private or public land, average frequency (in years) for future burning, dominant vegetation burned (forest, shrubland, grassland). If forest, note if trees were planted in the last ten years (yes/no) and type of forest (aspen-birch, maple-beech-birch, Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, oak-hickory, oak-pine, spruce-balsam fir, white-red-jack pine, redwood).
Habitat Management – Fuels management treatment (mechanical/hand)	# Acres treated	Enter the number of acres of vegetation treated by mechanical or hand treatments. In the NOTES, indicate dominant forest type (aspen-birch, maple-beech-birch, Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, oak-hickory, oak-pine, spruce-balsam fir, white-red-jack pine, redwood), average frequency (in years) for future treatments, and whether the removed vegetation will be left on site to decompose (yes/no).
Capacity, Outreach, Incentives – Outreach/ Education/ Technical Assistance	# People reached by outreach, training, or technical assistance activities	Enter the number of people reached by outreach, training, or technical assistance activities.
Planning, Research, Monitoring – Restoration planning/ design/ permitting	# Engineering and design plans developed	Enter the number of Engineering and Design plans, and/or compliance documents developed. Generally, there will be one plan per milestone (e.g., 10% design, 30% design, sampling design plan, final report/data compilation).
Planning, Research, Monitoring – Research	# Studies completed whose findings are used to adapt management/inform management decisions	Enter the number of studies and reports with findings that will be produced to adapt and inform management decisions.
Planning, Research, Monitoring – Research	Acres assessed for improved management	Enter the number of acres assessed.

 

All applicants applying for Conservation Partners Program funding are required to include the following metrics with metric notes:

 

Project Activity	Recommended Metric	Additional Guidance
Capacity, Outreach, Incentives – Economic benefits	# Jobs created	Enter the # of individuals hired to directly work on the project (non-volunteers). Jobs should be directly engaged in grant activities, funded by the grant, and shouldn't have existed prior to the grant. The starting value for this metric should be zero and target value should be a whole number. In the NOTES section, provide the FTE for the jobs created. If applicable, in the NOTES, report the number of new jobs created for people in the Historically Underserved or Special Emphasis categories.
Capacity, Outreach, Incentives – Economic benefits	# Jobs sustained	Enter the # of paid jobs that are partially or fully sustained through this grant. The starting value for this metric should be zero and target value should be a whole number. Jobs should have existed prior to the grant, be funded by the grant, and be directly engaged in project activities. If applicable, in the NOTES section report the number of jobs sustained for people in the Historically Underserved or Special Emphasis categories.
Capacity, Outreach, Incentives – Incentives	# Participants receiving government agency cost share or financial assistance	Enter the number of participants enrolled in government cost share or financial assistance programs. In the NOTES section, specify which program(s) (e.g., NRCS EQIP), how you will track enrollment, and if applicable, note the number of participants in the Historically Underserved or Special Emphasis categories. This should be equal to or less than the “# people with changed behavior” metric.
Capacity, Outreach, Incentives – Incentives	Dollar value of government agency cost share or financial assistance	Enter the dollar value of federal, state, or local government agency cost share or financial assistance. In the NOTES section, specify which program(s) (e.g., NRCS EQIP) and how the value was estimated.
Capacity, Outreach, Incentives – Incentives	Acres covered by government agency cost share or financial assistance	Enter the number of acres enrolled in government agency cost share or financial assistance.  In the NOTES section, specify which program(s) (e.g., NRCS EQIP). If applicable, number should be equal to or less than “Acreage of project footprint” metric.
Capacity, Outreach, Incentives – Outreach/ Education/ Technical Assistance	# People with changed behavior	Enter the number of producers implementing new conservation practices with or without federal, state, local, or private financial assistance. This should be equal to or greater than the “# of farmers receiving gov't agency cost share or financial assistance” metric.
Habitat Management – Project footprint	Acreage of project footprint	Enter the total number of unique acres where one or more conservation practices were implemented. Only count an acre once, even if multiple activities or treatments will occur on that acre during the project. For crop management projects involving wheat, please indicate the total project acres in active wheat rotation in the NOTES section.
Planning, Research, Monitoring – BMP development	# Management plans into which BMPs were incorporated	Enter the number of completed management plans into which Best Management Practices (BMPs) were incorporated.
Planning, Research, Monitoring – BMP development	# Acres covered by conservation plans	Enter the number of acres that are receiving conservation planning and other technical assistance to help producers meet eligibility requirements for USDA NRCS conservation programs and other Federal, State, and local conservation programs.

ELIGIBILITY

• Eligible applicants include: local, state, and Tribal governments and agencies (e.g., townships, cities, boroughs), special districts (e.g., conservation districts, planning districts, utility districts), non-profit 501(c) organizations, and educational institutions.
• Ineligible applicants include: international organizations, businesses, or unincorporated individuals.

Ineligible Uses of Grant Funds 

• Equipment: Applicants are encouraged to rent equipment where possible and cost-effective or use matching funds to make those purchases. NFWF acknowledges, however, that some projects may only be completed using NFWF funds to procure equipment. If this applies to your project, please contact the program staff listed in this RFP to discuss options.
• Federal funds and matching contributions may not be used to procure or obtain equipment, services, or systems (including entering into or renewing a contract) that uses telecommunications equipment or services produced by Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities) as a substantial or essential component, or as critical technology of any system. Refer to Public Law 115-232, section 889 for additional information. 
• NFWF funds and matching contributions may not be used to support political advocacy, fundraising, lobbying, litigation, terrorist activities, or Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations.
• NFWF funds may not be used to support ongoing efforts to comply with legal requirements, including permit conditions, mitigation, and settlement agreements. However, grant funds may be used to support projects that enhance or improve upon existing baseline compliance efforts. 

FUNDING AVAILABILITY AND MATCH

Shasta Valley Program
Total funds available: $7,040,000
Projects to be awarded: 4 - 6
Anticipated award range: $200,000 - $2,000,000
Match: Required; 1:1 (for every dollar in grant funding, 1 dollar is required in match)

Conservation Partners Program
Total funds available: $2,000,000
Projects to be awarded: 3 - 5
Anticipated award range: $200,000 - $700,000
Match: Required; 35% (for every dollar in grant funding, 35 cents is required in match)

Upper Klamath Watershed Resilience
Total funds available: $1,793,000
Projects to be awarded: 2 - 4
Anticipated award range: $100,000 - $500,000
Match: Required; 25% (for every dollar in grant funding, 25 cents is required in match)

Fremont-Winema National Forest Headwaters Enhancement and Monitoring
Total funds available: $720,000
Projects to be awarded: 2 - 4
Anticipated award range: $50,000 - $450,000
Match: Required; 30% (for every dollar in grant funding, 30 cents is required in match)

EVALUATION CRITERIA

All proposals will be screened for relevance, accuracy, completeness, and compliance with NFWF, NRCS, USFS, and USFWS policies, as applicable. Proposals will then be evaluated based on the extent to which they meet the following criteria.

Program Goals and Priorities – Project contributes to the overall habitat and species conservation goals outlined in the appropriate funding opportunity and has specific, quantifiable performance metrics to evaluate project success. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to reference NFWF’s California Forests and Watersheds Business Plan for opportunities to enhance project competitiveness by linking Business Plan strategies and work in focal areas for priority species whenever possible. Additionally, projects that incorporate baseline monitoring and take steps to measure and account for habitat and species impact will be prioritized.

Technical Merit – Project is technically sound and feasible, and the proposal sets forth a clear, logical, and achievable work plan and timeline. Project engages appropriate technical experts throughout project planning, design, and implementation.

Collaboration and Community Engagement – The applicant organization partners and engages collaboratively with diverse local community members, leaders, Tribal Nations, community-based organizations, and other relevant stakeholders to develop and implement the proposed project. This ensures long-term sustainability and success of the project, integration into local programs and policies, and community acceptance of proposed restoration actions. Non-traditional partners or communities are enlisted to broaden the sustained impact from the project. Describe the community characteristics of the project area, identify any communities impacted, describe outreach and community engagement activities and how those will be monitored and measured. Use demographic data to support descriptions and submit letters of support from community partners and/or collaborators demonstrating their commitment to the project and engagement in project activities as proposed.

Cost-Effectiveness – Cost-effectiveness analysis identifies the most economically efficient way to meet project objectives. Project includes a cost-effective budget that balances performance risk and efficient use of funds. Cost-effectiveness evaluation includes, but is not limited to, an assessment of effective direct/indirect costs across all categories in the proposed budget according to the type, size, and duration of project and project objectives. Project budgets will be compared to similar projects to ensure proposed costs across all budget categories are reasonable for the activities being performed and the outcomes proposed.

Spatial Data – Project spatial data submitted to NFWF’s online mapping tool accurately represent the location(s) conservation activity(ies) at the time of proposal submission. Successful projects will be required to submit improved spatial data for each conservation activity within the period of performance as necessary.

Transferability – Project has potential and plans to transfer lessons learned to other communities and/or to be integrated into government programs and policies.

Long-term Sustainability – Project will be maintained to ensure benefits are achieved and sustained over time. This should include how future funding will be secured to implement necessary long-term monitoring and maintenance activities.

Past Success – Applicant has a proven track record of success in implementing conservation practices with specific, measurable results.

OTHER  

Applicant Demographic Information – In an effort to better understand diversity in our grantmaking, NFWF is collecting basic demographic information on applicants and their organizations via a voluntary survey form (available in Easygrants). This information will not be shared externally or with reviewers and will not be considered when making grant decisions. For more details, please see the tip sheet and the Uploads section of Easygrants.

Budget – Costs are allowable, reasonable, and budgeted in accordance with NFWF’s Budget Instructions cost categories. Federally-funded projects must be in compliance with OMB Uniform Guidance as applicable. Applicants to the Shasta Valley Program will be asked to complete a separate budget template as part of their full proposal. For Shasta Valley Program projects, indirect costs are not allowable.

Environmental Services – NFWF funds projects in pursuit of its mission to sustain, restore and enhance the nation's fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats for current and future generations. NFWF recognizes that some benefits from projects may be of value with regards to credits on an environmental services market (such as a carbon credit market). NFWF does not participate in, facilitate, or manage an environmental services market nor does NFWF assert any claim on such credits. 

Intellectual Property – Intellectual property created using NFWF awards may be copyrighted or otherwise legally protected by award recipients. NFWF may reserve the right to use, publish, and copy materials created under awards, including posting such material on NFWF’s website and featuring it in publications. NFWF may use project metrics and spatial data from awards to estimate societal benefits that result and to report these results to funding partners. These may include but are not limited to: habitat and species response, species connectivity, water quality, water quantity, risk of detrimental events (e.g., wildfire, floods), carbon accounting (e.g., sequestration, avoided emissions), environmental justice, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Matching Contributions – Matching Contributions consist of cash, contributed goods and services, volunteer hours, and/or property raised and spent for the Project during the Period of Performance. Larger match ratios and matching fund contributions from a diversity of partners are encouraged and will be more competitive during application review.

Procurement – If the applicant chooses to specifically identify proposed Contractor(s) for Services, an award by NFWF to the applicant does not constitute NFWF’s express written authorization for the applicant to procure such specific services noncompetitively. When procuring goods and services, NFWF recipients must follow documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable laws and regulations. 

Publicity and Acknowledgement of Support – Award recipients will be required to grant NFWF the right and authority to publicize the project and NFWF’s financial support for the grant in press releases, publications, and other public communications. Recipients may also be asked by NFWF to provide high-resolution (minimum 300 dpi) photographs depicting the project.

Receiving Award Funds – Award payments are primarily reimbursable. Projects may request funds for reimbursement at any time after completing a signed agreement with NFWF. No advance of funds will be allowed unless funds are directly related to completing environmental compliance requirements determined by Reclamation.

Compliance Requirements – Projects selected may be subject to requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA) (state and federal), and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Documentation of compliance with these regulations must be approved by NRCS, USFS, or USFWS, as applicable, prior to initiating activities that disturb or alter habitat or other features of the project site(s). Applicants should budget time and resources to obtain the needed approvals.  As may be applicable, successful applicants may be required to comply with additional Federal, state or local requirements and obtain all necessary permits and clearances. The costs associated with compliance with NEPA, ESA, and NHPA should be included in the overall project budget.

Permits – Successful applicants will be required to provide sufficient documentation that the project expects to receive or has received all necessary permits and clearances to comply with any federal, state, or local requirements. Where projects involve work in the waters of the United States, NFWF strongly encourages applicants to conduct a permit pre-application meeting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prior to submitting their proposal. In some cases, if a permit pre-application meeting has not been completed, NFWF may require successful applicants to complete such a meeting prior to grant award.

Federal Funding – The availability of federal funds estimated in this solicitation is contingent upon the federal appropriations process. Funding decisions will be made based on level of funding and timing of when it is received by NFWF.

TIMELINE

Dates of activities are subject to change. Please check the program page of the NFWF website for the most current dates and information.

                             Applicant Webinar [Register here]     January 21, 2025, 11:00 AM PST
                             Full Proposal Due Date:                           February 25, 2025, by 8:59 PM PST 
                             Review Period                                              March – April 2025
                             Awards Announced                                   May 2025

HOW TO APPLY

All application materials must be submitted online through NFWF’s Easygrants system.

1.    Go to easygrants.nfwf.org to register in our Easygrants online system. New users to the system will be prompted to register before starting the application (if you already are a registered user, use your existing login). Enter your application information. Please disable the pop-up blocker on your internet browser prior to beginning the application process. 

2.    Once on your homepage, click the “Apply for Funding” button and select this RFP’s “Funding Opportunity” from the list of options.

3.    Follow the instructions in Easygrants to complete your application. Once an application has been started, it may be saved and returned to later for completion and submission.

APPLICATION ASSISTANCE 

A Tip Sheet is available for quick reference while you are working on your application. This document can be downloaded here.

Additional information to support the application process can be accessed on the NFWF website’s Application Information page.

For more information or questions about this RFP, please contact: 

Femke Freiberg
Program Director, Western Water Programs
Email: femke.freiberg@nfwf.org
Phone: 415-243-3104 (PST)

Erica Engstrom
Program Manager, Western Water Programs
Email: erica.engstrom@nfwf.org
Phone: 415-490-5211 (PST)

Dalton Schmitz
Program Coordinator, Western Water Programs
Email: dalton.schmitz@nfwf.org
Phone: 202-992-9456

For issues or assistance with our online Easygrants system, please contact:
Easygrants Helpdesk
Email: Easygrants@nfwf.org
Voicemail: 202-595-2497
Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm EST, Monday - Friday. 
Include: your name, proposal ID #, e-mail address, phone number, program you are applying to, and a description of the issue.

¹ “Klamath River Basin.” NOAA Fisheries, 25 Apr. 2022, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/habitat-conservation/klamath-river-basin.