California Forests: Targeted Headwater Resilience Implementation and Monitoring 2022 Request for Proposals

Full Proposal Due Date: Thursday, July 21, 2022 by 11:59 PM Eastern Time

 

OVERVIEW

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals to address a variety of forest health and resilience needs in California. This Request For Proposals (RFP) seeks to support voluntary efforts across nine key areas:

1. Forest Revegetation for Carbon Benefits
2. Fuels Management Projects across the region 
3. Fuels Management Monitoring and Species Response
4. Transportation Infrastructure and Aquatic Organism Passage Improvements on, or Adjacent to USFS lands
5. Sierra Nevada Meadow Restoration to Benefit Desert Terminal Lakes
6. Technical Assistance funding for wildfire resilience in the Russian River watersheds 
7. Wetland restoration within the San Francisco Bay Delta
8. Implement species specific management actions to increase northern spotted owl occupancy on public and private lands in Mendocino, Co.
9. Improve resiliency of native rainbow trout populations by embryonic translocation in southern California. 

Details for each of the eligible activities presented in this opportunity are provided in the sections below. Collectively, this funding opportunity continues NFWF’s efforts toward improving Forest Health and Watershed Resilience across California and complements the goals of many of our public and private partners who are working to protect, restore, and conserve California’s critical forested environments. This funding opportunity seeks to award approximately $5,623,000 million in grants. Major funding for this RFP comes from the US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Occidental Petroleum, Sierra Pacific Industries, and the Bezos Earth Fund. 

Proposals which provide measurable contributions for selected goals and outcomes to NFWF’s California Forests and Watersheds Business Plan will be given priority consideration.

GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS

Eligible projects for this funding opportunity are in part defined by the type of activity and associated funding partner for the five targeted project areas described in the overview. To be eligible for funding, projects must occur within the areas defined here and illustrated in the map below.

1. Forest Revegetation for Carbon Benefits
   • State-wide; priority on large-scale reforestation and tree planting-related activity
2. Fuels Management
   • State-wide on National Forest System (NFS) lands
3. Fuels Management Project Monitoring and Species Response
   • State-wide (Northern CA priority); should occur at an appropriate regional scale to link recent and/or planned fuels management with sensitive, threatened and endangered species data (e.g., California spotted owl, pacific fisher)
4. Transportation Infrastructure and Aquatic Organism Passage Improvements on USFS lands
   • All USFS-system lands are eligible; priority project locations described in the RFP Appendix
5. Sierra Nevada Meadow Restoration for the benefit of Desert Terminal Lakes
   • Headwater meadows in California for the Truckee, Carson, and Walker River basins
6. Technical Assistance funding for wildfire resilience in the Russian River watersheds
   • Funding for private landowners within the Russian River watershed to implement fuels management projects.
7. Wetland restoration within the San Francisco Bay Delta
   • Funding focused on regenerative agriculture in the San Francisco Bay Delta.
8. Implement species specific management actions to increase northern spotted owl occupancy on public and private lands in Mendocino, Co
   • Funding to focus on management of non-native barred owls and monitoring efficacy of removal
9. Improve resiliency of native rainbow trout (Orncorhynchus mykiss) populations by embryonic translocation in southern California.
   • Funding to focus on southern O. mykiss t translocations to Trabuco Creek within the southern California focal area 

 

 

PROGRAM PRIORITIES

Proposals submitted to this RFP must respond to the program priorities associated with one of the targeted headwater resilience needs described below. Each program area has its own expectations, guidance and conditions. Proposals must describe how projects for which funds are requested will directly and measurably contribute to those particular program area goals. In addition to the guiding principles and background information contained in each of the sections below, the 2022 RFP Appendix provides specific project descriptions and recommendations that emphasize particular priorities of the participating funding partners. Interested applicants are encouraged to review and consider the Appendix project descriptions and apply as appropriate, however eligible relevant non-appendix projects are encouraged as well.

Priority Area #1. Forest Revegetation for Carbon Benefits

Funding priority: NFWF, in partnership with the Bezos Earth Fund, has $2.7 million available in projects that will implement habitat restoration or improvement practices that benefit wildlife while sequestering carbon and/or improving water quantity or quality on National Forest System (NFS) lands in California. Tree planting projects are encouraged. 

Average grant size: $500,000 - $2,500,000

Key considerations: Applicants should reach out to program staff prior to submitting a proposal to discuss projects addressing carbon and water outcomes. Note: NFWF intends to calculate the carbon benefits associated with any given project. These benefits will not be used as carbon credits, but rather for narrative and demonstration of the carbon value of various projects and conservation practices(s) supported through this program.

Priority Area #2: Fuels Management Projects across the region

Funding priority: NFWF is soliciting proposals to plan and implement fuels management projects on National Forest System (NFS) lands within California that reduce the risk of severe wildfire, protect ecological values of U.S. Forest Service (USFS) restoration investments, and reduce the risk of damage to public and private improvements near USFS lands. A total of $710,000 is available through funding from the USFS appropriations and Sierra Pacific Industries. Projects that seek to improve forest condition in and around ongoing California spotted owl demographic monitoring in the Eldorado National Forest are especially encouraged to apply.

Average grants size: $250,000 - $500,000

Priority Area #3: Fuels Management Project Monitoring and Species Response

For the 2022 round of funding, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and their regional partners have aligned with NFWF to dedicate $270,000 to support monitoring and analysis of fuels treatments in northern California/Sierra Nevada forested environments. While a variety of potential monitoring and analysis project designs are eligible for consideration, preference for this round of funding is for the compilation, synthesis and/or meta-analysis of existing data at regional-scale geographies, rather than individual site-specific or project-level monitoring. The purpose of this round of funding is to understand how to design fuel treatments to maximize benefits to species across the landscape.

Project proposals will need to clearly articulate the key management or conservation questions to be addressed, expected data types and sources to be used, and analysis methods employed. Successful applicants will address questions and develop timelines for outcomes that provide near-term utility that can be applied to developing best management practices for fuel treatments to maintain and protect species from high intensity fires. Fuels management projects on mixed-conifer forests will be especially competitive if the project can report changes in Stand Density Index (SDI) before and after treatment (see metrics table below and business plan for more information). Ideally, selected research projects would assist land managers in assessing fuels management projects effects on multiple species at the project and landscape-scale.

In addition to the priority described above, NFWF will also consider projects that examine developing consistent and regionally applied monitoring approaches to evaluate pre and post fuels treatment and assess how they benefit fish and wildlife. Project may incorporate actual monitoring of an existing fuels treatment site/s to demonstrate proof-of-concept; however, proposals will need to clearly articulate the rationale and broader regional application for the proposed design, and how the information generated will ultimately be used at-scale to appropriately measure how fuels management projects interact with wildlife to inform land management decision making. Projects that directly contribute to or leverage existing efforts that advance understanding of key indicators to evaluate forest resilience more broadly will be given special consideration. Examples of potential fuels monitoring concepts are included in the RFP Appendix.

Priority Area #4: Transportation Infrastructure and Aquatic Organism Passage Improvements on USFS Lands

In partnership with the USFS, NFWF has $813,000 in funding to support partner-driven assistance for improvements to USFS-system transportation infrastructure (e.g., roads, bridges, culverts, and drainage features) and aquatic organism passage. Grant funding will be awarded to transportation infrastructure improvements that can demonstrate aquatic ecosystem recovery and watershed improvement, with particular emphasis to anadromous and native fish, or other aquatic species of concern on USFS lands. Preference will be given to projects that contribute to the recovery of regional native species of concern, such as steelhead trout, rainbow trout, chinook salmon, and coho salmon.

Projects may include:

• Maintenance, replacement, and/or improvement to roads, bridges, culverts, and drainage features. Road structure projects may include bridges, open bottom arches, retaining walls over 6’ in height, and any structure requiring structural engineering on National Forest roads and lands;
• Installation of drainage features such as culverts, drainage dips, and other associated BMPs;
• Decommissioning transportation infrastructure that has a deleterious impact on watershed health and/or human health and safety;
• Implementing strategic restoration projects in response to, and in anticipation of, extreme weather and storm events, and;
• Maintenance and improvements of existing transportation infrastructure to increase accessibility to fuels reduction and native vegetation projects.

All proposals must describe the ecosystem benefits that are anticipated through implementation of the project. Competitive proposals should address one or more of the following:

• Improve hydrologic connectivity and aquatic organism passage;
• Reduce sediment and other runoff-borne pollutants to streams;
• Restore and/or maintain natural flow and geomorphology, and;
• Protect existing watersheds, meadows, fens, riparian corridors, and instream habitats;
• Remove or reduce invasive species threatening aquatic habitat and/or listed species.

Program preference is for shovel-ready implementation projects that have, or are reasonably expected to complete all necessary regulatory compliance (NEPA, etc.) by the time of award; however, planning and design projects may be considered. Specific priority transportation infrastructure projects desired for selected National Forests are included in the RFP Appendix.

Average grant size: $50,000 - $800,000

Key considerations: All bridge and other road structure designs and construction implementation must be communicated to and reviewed and approved by the Forest Service (USFS) Regional Office and National Forest before construction can begin. Application materials should include letters of support from a relevant USFS Line Officers, and reference existing or planned NEPA-compliance and schedule of activity.

Priority Area #5: Sierra Nevada Meadow Restoration for the benefit of Desert Terminal Lakes

NFWF has approximately $400,000 in available grant funding in 2022 for implementation of meadow restoration projects within California Sierra Nevada meadows that drain to Desert Terminal Lakes basins. The purpose is to restore and protect mountain meadow ecosystems that serve as key habitat for fish and wildlife, as well as provide hydrological benefits for people, such as increased groundwater storage, flow reliability, and reduced sedimentation.

Projects must occur within California’s Sierra Nevada meadows region and benefit the Desert Terminal Lakes basins (Truckee River/Carson River/Walker River watersheds). Projects on either public or private land are eligible. Preference will be given to projects that contribute to the recovery of regional species of concern, such as native trout, including Lahontan cutthroat trout, Yosemite toad, willow flycatcher, and California spotted owl to name a few. Projects that are contiguous with, adjacent to, and/or expand on benefits from other recently restored meadows are desirable. 

Average grants size: $100,000 - $400,000

Key considerations: Successful applicants will include components to measure effectiveness and evaluate project outcomes, such as monitoring changes in streamflow volume or groundwater storage, or changes in species composition and abundance. 

Priority Area #6: Wildfire Resilience in Russian River Watershed 

In partnership with NRCS, NFWF has $450,000 in available funding to support projects to benefit, restore, and enhance forestland, wildlife and aquatic habitat, and farmland in the Russian River watershed. Grant funding will be awarded to projects which improve headwater watersheds and create resiliency of forests to high intensity wildfire through the following objectives:

• Reduce soil erosion and protect soil to help the conservation, development, and wise use of land, water, and related resources.
• Store and mitigate the loss of carbon embedded in forestland resources
• Strengthen, increase, and encourage the voluntary approach and participation of private landowners required to successfully implement USDA programs administered by NRCS.

Average grants size: $100,000 - $250,000

Priority Area #7: Wetland restoration within the San Francisco Bay Delta

NFWF and Occidental Petroleum have partnered to provide $80,000 for projects focusing on
restorative efforts in the San Francisco Bay Delta. Grant funding will be focused on projects working directly
with agriculture to restore habitat for salmon and migratory shorebirds. Projects could include regenerative
agricultural practices.

Average grants size: $80,000

Priority Area #8: Implement species specific management actions to increase northern spotted owl occupancy on public and private lands in Mendocino, Co

The Northern spotted owl (NSO) is federally listed as threatened. Threats to the NSO’s survival have been linked to expanding barred owl populations in Washington, Oregon and California.  Removal of barred owl has resulted in a positive response of NSO. Through this RFP, NFWF will provide up to $100,000 in projects which support the strategic removal of barred owls in Mendocino County where NSO occupancy and site extirpation rates are increasing.  A particular area of interest is on the Jackson State Demonstration Forest, Mendocino Co, and surrounding state parks. 

Average grant size:  $50,000-$100,000

Priority Area #9: Improve resiliency of native rainbow trout populations by embryonic translocation on Trabuco Creek in southern California. 

Two forms of the salmonid Oncorhynchus mykiss (O. mykiss) naturally occur in Trabuco Creek in Southern California: rainbow trout (the resident, non-migratory form) and steelhead (the anadromous form). The two forms interbred historically and those expressing genes for migratory behavior were considered steelhead. 

NFWF aims to invest in a pilot on Trabuco Creek to increase rainbow trout diversity within the headwaters to support the expression of the anadromous gene in advance of the restoration of ocean access through the translocation of Southern California rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) embryos to suitable habitat for survivorship. Through this RFP, NFWF will provide up to $100,000 in projects which support this pilot effort.

Average grant size:  $50,000-$100,000

PROJECT METRICS

To better gauge progress on individual grants and to ensure greater consistency of project data provided by multiple grants, the 2022 Targeted Headwaters Resilience RFP has a list of metrics in Easygrants for proposal applicants to choose from for future reporting. We ask that applicants select only the most relevant metrics from this list for their project. Note - the metrics under the headings below are not exclusive to a particular type of project. If you think an applicable metric has not been provided, please contact Angie Carl (Angie.Carl@nfwf.org) to discuss acceptable alternatives to include in this list.

Project Activity	Recommended Metric	Additional Guidance
GENERAL - Applicable to all priority areas
Volunteer Participation	Capacity, Outreach, Incentives – Building institutional capacity – # volunteers participating	Enter the number of volunteers participating in projects.
Outreach/Education	Capacity, Outreach, Incentives – Outreach/Education/Technical Assistance - # people reached	Enter the number of people reached by outreach, training, or technical assistance activities.
Research	Planning, Research, Monitoring – Research – Acres assessed for improved management	Enter the number of acres assessed.
Research	Planning, Research Monitoring – Research - # studies completed to inform management	Enter the number of studies and reports with findings that will be produced to adapt and inform management decisions.
Restoration planning/design/permitting	Planning, Research, Monitoring – Research - # E&D plans developed	Enter the number of Engineering and Design plans, and/or compliance documents developed. Generally, there will be 1 per milestone, e.g., 10% design, 30% design, sampling design plan, final report/data compilation.
Invasive Vegetation Removal	Habitat Restoration – Removal of Invasives – acres restored	Enter the number of acres of invasives removed. In the NOTES, specify: vegetation removed (Forest understory, Junipers, Shrubs, Grasses and forbs), desired dominant vegetation (Broadleaf, Conifer, Shrub, Grass), average frequency (in years) of future treatment, and whether removed vegetation will be left on site to decompose (Yes/No).
Invasive Species Removal	Species-specific strategies – Invasive animal or predator removal – # of individuals removed	Enter the number of individual invasive animals or predators removed.
FOREST REVEGETATION AND FUELS MANAGEMENT - Applicable to Priority Areas 1-3
Trees Planted	Habitat Restoration – Land Restoration – Acres of trees planted	Enter # acres of TREES planted. In the NOTES, specify landcover type prior to planting (barren, cropland, grassland, shrubland), average # of trees per acre planted, and forest type (broadleaf, conifer, redwood, shrub).
Plant Cultivation	Habitat Restoration – Plant Cultivation – Seedlings propagated	Enter the number of seedlings propagated.
Seed Harvesting	Habitat Restoration – Seed Harvesting – lbs harvested	Enter the number of pounds of seeds collected, may be estimated from bushels of cones collected.
Reforestation and Restoration of Forest Vegetation	Habitat Restoration – Land restoration – acres restored	Enter acres restored through the re-establishment (planting) of native vegetation. If the project to be undertaken includes Invasive Vegetation Management actions also use “Removal of Invasives – Acres Restored“. If project to be undertaken includes Fuels Reduction actions prior to planting (thinning, limbing, tree removal, etc.) also use “Improved Management Practices – Acres under Improved Management”. If the project is a combination of these actions, use those metrics which apply to each of the activities and then enter the representative acres. For example, a 10 acres project site may include 10 acres of “Removal of Invasives” and 5 acres of planting under “Land Restoration”
Application of fuels management treatment prescription (Mechanical/Hand)	Habitat Management: Fuels management treatment (mechanical/hand) - # of 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 yrs) for future treatments, and whether the removed vegetation will be left on site to decompose (Yes/No).
Application of fuels management treatment prescription (Mechanical/Hand) – California Spotted Owl	Habitat Management: California Spotted Owl - Fuels management treatment (mechanical/hand) - # of acres treated	Enter the number of acres of vegetation treated by mechanical or hand treatments for the benefit of California Spotted Owl. 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 yrs) for future treatments, and whether the removed vegetation will be left on site to decompose (Yes/No).
Application of fuels management treatment prescription (Mechanical/Hand) – Northern Spotted Owl	Habitat Management: Northern Spotted Owl - Fuels management treatment (mechanical/hand) - # of acres treated	Enter the number of acres of vegetation treated by mechanical or hand treatments for the benefit of Northern Spotted Owl. 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 yrs) for future treatments, and whether the removed vegetation will be left on site to decompose (Yes/No).
Application of fuels management treatment prescription (Mechanical/Hand) – Pacific Fisher	Habitat Management: Fisher - Fuels management treatment (mechanical/hand) - # of acres treated	Enter the number of acres of vegetation treated by mechanical or hand treatments for the benefit of Pacific fisher. 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 yrs) for future treatments, and whether the removed vegetation will be left on site to decompose (Yes/No).
Application of fuels management treatment prescription (Prescribed Burning)	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 yrs) for future burning, dominant vegetation burned (forest, shrubland, grassland). If forest, note if trees have been planted in past 10 yrs (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).
Application of fuels management treatment prescription (Prescribed Burning) – California Spotted Owl	Habitat Management: California Spotted Owl - BMP implementation for prescribed burns – Acres burned	Enter the number of acres where prescribed burning is implemented for the primary benefit of California Spotted Owl. In the NOTES, specify if private or public land, average frequency (in yrs) for future burning, dominant vegetation burned (forest, shrubland, grassland). If forest, note if trees have been planted in past 10 yrs (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).
Application of fuels management treatment prescription (Prescribed Burning) – Northern Spotted Owl	Habitat Management: Northern Spotted Owl - BMP implementation for prescribed burns – Acres burned	Enter the number of acres where prescribed burning is implemented for the primary benefit of Northern Spotted Owl. In the NOTES, specify if private or public land, average frequency (in yrs) for future burning, dominant vegetation burned (forest, shrubland, grassland). If forest, note if trees have been planted in past 10 yrs (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).
Application of fuels management treatment prescription (Prescribed Burning) – Pacific Fisher	Habitat Management: Fisher - BMP implementation for prescribed burns – Acres burned	Enter the number of acres where prescribed burning is implemented for the primary benefit of Pacific Fisher. In the NOTES, specify if private or public land, average frequency (in yrs) for future burning, dominant vegetation burned (forest, shrubland, grassland). If forest, note if trees have been planted in past 10 yrs (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).
Treatment or removal of insect or disease-affected trees	Habitat Restoration: Removal of infected individuals - # of acres restored	Enter the number of insect- or disease-affected acres treated with any treatment type (mechanical / hand / prescribed burning).  Forest health    Habitat restoration - Land, wetland restoration- # acres returned to desired forest condition    Enter the number of acres with improved condition of Sierra Nevada mixed-conifer forest that have been thinned to ≤50% of Stand Density Index maximum on mesic sites ≤35% of Stand Density Index maximum on xeric sites.
TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE FOR AOP IMPROVEMENTS – Applicable to Priority Area 4
Instream restoration	Habitat Restoration - instream restoration - # structures installed	Enter the number of habitat structures installed, replaced, upgraded or repaired for ecosystem improvement.
Instream restoration	Habitat Restoration - Instream restoration - Miles restored	Enter the number of stream miles restored (habitat/flow) that will see quantifiable instream improvements from the meadow restoration.
Fish passage improvements	Habitat Management - Fish passage improvements - # passage barriers rectified	Enter the number of bridges and or culverts replaced, improved or decommissioned. In the notes, state the number and types of barriers rectified (i.e. bridge, culvert, etc).
Fish passage improvements	Habitat Management - 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/Programs Data/HabitatandBarriers/CaliforniaFishPassage AssessmentDatabase.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 section.
BMP implementation for road improvements	Habitat Management - BMP implementation for road improvements - Miles of road improved	Enter the number of miles of roads improved, maintained, or decommissioned. In the notes, state the BMP type(s) and expected environmental benefits.
MEADOW, WATERSHED, AND WETLAND RESTORATION – Applicable to Priority Areas 5-7
Riparian restoration	Habitat Restoration – Riparian Restoration – Acres restored	Enter the number of riparian acres restored. In the NOTES section, 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.
Meadow/wetland restoration	Habitat Restoration - wetland restoration - Acres restored	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%).
AQUATIC SPECIES-SPECIFIC STRATEGIES- Applicable to Priority Area 9
Southern Rainbow Trout	Species-specific Strategies- Translocation- # individuals translocated/stocked	Enter number of embryonic translocations of O. mykiss at a target site

 

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible and Ineligible Entities
	Forest Revegetation (Priority area #1)	Fuels Management and Monitoring (Priority areas #2 and #3)	USFS Transportation Infrastructure (Priority area #4)	Sierra Meadows – DTL (Priority area #5)	Watershed Restoration – Russian River and SF Bay Delta (Priority areas #6 and #7)	Species specific management – NSO and native rainbow trout (Priority areas #8 and #9)
Applicant
Non-Profit Organizations	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK
Federal Agencies	OK	X	X	X	X	X
State Agencies	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK
Local/Muni. Agencies	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK
Tribal Gov. & Organizations	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK
Educational Institutions	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK
International Organizations	X	X	X	X	X	X
For-profit Business	X	X	X	X	X	X
Unincorporated Individuals	X	X	X	X	X	X

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 SUMMARY
Project Area	Available Funding	Award Range	Match Requirements
Priority area 1. Forest Revegetation for Carbon Benefits	$2,700,000	$500,000 - $2,500,000	No Restriction; 1:1 match
Priority area 2. Fuels Management	$710,000	$250,000-$500,000	Non-federal; 50% match
Priority area 3. Fuels Monitoring	$270,000	$50,000 - $270,000	Non-federal; 50% match
Priority area 4. Transportation Infrastructure	$813,000	$50,000 - $800,000	Non-federal; 50% match
Priority area 5. Meadow Restoration	$400,000	$50,000 - $400,000	Non-federal; 1:1 match
Priority area 6. Watershed Restoration for Russian River	$450,000	$50,000 - $450,000	Non-federal; 1:1 match
Priority area 7. Watershed Restoration for San Francisco Bay Delta	$80,000	$50,000 - $80,000	Non-federal; 1:1 match
Priority area 8. Species specific management for Northern Spotted Owl	$100,000	$50,000 - $100,000	Non-federal; 1:1 match
Priority area 9. Improving resiliency of native rainbow trout populations	$100,000	$50,000 - $100,000	Non-federal; 1:1 match

*Project length, typically, will be within 24 months from time of grant agreement execution

 

EVALUATION CRITERIA

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

Program Goals and Priorities – Project contributes to the Program’s overall habitat and species conservation goals, and has specific, quantifiable performance metrics to evaluate project success. Project addresses one or more of the program priorities.

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 to ensure activities are technically-sound and feasible.

Partnership and Community Impact – The applicant organization partners and engages collaboratively with diverse local community members, leaders, 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 economically most 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.

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

Communication – Project includes a detailed plan to communicate information about the project to appropriate audiences.

Funding Need – Project establishes a clear need for the funds being requested, and demonstrates that activities would not move forward absent funding.

Conservation Plan and Context – The project advances an existing conservation plan or strategy. 

Monitoring – Project includes a plan for monitoring progress during and after the proposed project period to track project success and adaptively address new challenges and opportunities as they arise. 

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.

Partnership – An appropriate partnership exists to implement the project and the project is supported by a strong local partnership that leverages additional funds and will sustain it after the life of the grant. Identify proposed partners, if known (including potential or contemplated subawards to third party subrecipients of the applicant), the roles they will play in implementing the project, and how this project will build new or enhance existing partnerships.  (Note: a project partner is any local community, non-profit organization, tribe, and/or local, state, and federal government agency that contributes to the project in a substantial way and is closely involved in the completion of the project.)

 

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.

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.  A request of an advance of funds must be due to an imminent need of expenditure and must detail how the funds will be used and provide justification and a timeline for expected disbursement of these funds.

Compliance Requirements – Projects selected may be subject to requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act (state and federal), and National Historic Preservation Act.  Documentation of compliance with these regulations must be approved 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.

Quality Assurance – If a project involves significant monitoring, data collection or data use, grantees may be asked to prepare and submit quality assurance documentation (www.epa.gov/quality).  Applicants should budget time and resources to complete this task.

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 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 – Northern California Forests and Watersheds

Applicant Webinar (Register here)	Thursday, June 23, 2022 at 1:00 pm PST
Full Proposal Due Date	Thursday, July 21, 2022 by 8:59pm PST
Review Period	Late August - October
Awards Announced	Mid-November

 

HOW TO APPLY

All application materials must be submitted online through National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’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 applicant 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 at a later time for completion and submission.

 

APPLICATION ASSISTANCE 

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

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

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

Angie Carl, Director, California Forest Programs
Email: Angie.Carl@nfwf.org: Phone: (910) 409-2969

Kaitlyn Hill, Program Coordinator, Western Regional Office
Email: Kaitlyn.Hill@nfwf.org; Phone: 202-595-2436

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 ET, Monday-Friday. 
Include:  your name, proposal ID #, e-mail address, phone number, program you are applying to, and a description of the issue.