Acres for America Grantee Webinar June 4, 2014

Transcription

1 Acres for America Grantee Webinar June 4, 2014

2 About Us The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit dedicated to conserving and restoring our nation s native fish and wildlife and the habitats on which they rely. Created by Congress in 1984, NFWF invests both public and private conservation dollars to achieve its mission. WHO WE ARE Chartered by Congress in member Board appointed by Secretary of the Interior Includes FWS Director and NOAA Administrator WHAT WE DO Sustain, restore, enhance the nation s natural heritage Bring collaboration among federal agencies and private funders Create common ground among diverse interests HOW WE DO IT Leverage private money with public funding average 3:1 On-the-ground conservation projects through grantmaking

3 NFWF s Business and Operations Model Non-Federal Partner Resources Corporations Foundations Individuals States Mitigation & Settlements Federal Government Resources Appropriations Cooperative Agreements Mitigation & Settlements Working in partnership, NFWF commits financial and intellectual capital to address the nation s pressing conservation challenges Species Places Issues

4 $ in millions NFWF Grant Leverage FY $250 Our Results $200 $150 $100 $50 $ Federal Funds Non-Federal and Grantee Matching Funds Overview of NFWF Funds Invested FY 2012 FY 2013 FY Federal Funds $42.6 million $49.7 million $668.2 million Non-Federal Funds $18.8 million $20.5 million $267.7 million Grantee Matching Funds $130.6 million $126.9 million $1.398 billion Total Funds Invested $192.1 million $197.2 million $2.33 billion # of Grants Awarded ,645

5 Walmart s Acres for America Today, Acres for America has become one of the most effective partnerships in conservation. Acres for America was launched on April 12, 2005 at the National Geographic Society in Washington, DC.

6 Acres for America Since 2005, the Acres for America program has invested in conservation projects of national significance that also benefit people and local economies. Acres for America Goals Provide access for people to enjoy the outdoors Conserve critical habitats for birds, fish, plants and wildlife Connect existing protected lands to unify wild places and protect migration routes Ensure the future of local economies that depend on forestry, ranching and recreation.

7 Walmart s $27M investment to date has leveraged $323M in other funds, making this one of the most efficient conservation programs in history Goal: Protect 138,000 acres of land to offset Walmart s domestic development footprint through 2015 As of 2014: More than 850,000 acres protected, equivalent to the size of Yosemite National Park, with a goal of protecting more than 1 million acres by projects in 32 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, working with over 100 partners Connected over 8.2 million protected acres, an area larger than Maryland and Delaware combined

8 Acres for America Projects to protect and preserve habitat and open spaces and connect vital wildlife corridors.

9 Acres for America Grant Recipients Walmart has supported more than 50 groups and agencies representing thousands of individuals and hundreds of communities.

10 Acres for America Funding Partners Walmart donations have leveraged significant funds from numerous organizations, foundations and government agencies.

11 Acres for America: Funding Availability Funding Available: Approximately $3.0 million is available in Based on prior year decisions, we anticipate that between three (3) and six (6) projects will be awarded funds. Programmatic Focus: To be considered for funding through the Acres for America Program, acquisitions of conservation easements should meet the following criteria:

12 Acres for America: Program Criteria Conservation Criteria: Seek to protect or contribute to the protection of at least 5,000 acres Endorsement by appropriate federal, state, and local government agencies that the acquisition is of high conservation value is a primary consideration. Preference will be given to acquisitions that are part of conservation plans (North American Waterfowl Management Plan, Partners in Flight, State Wildlife Action Plans, others). Natural Heritage rankings for key species present on the site are an important. Endorsement by non-profit conservation organizations that the acquisition is of high conservation value. Acquisitions that contribute to "landscape level" conservation efforts that help reduce fragmentation and create fish and wildlife habitat linkages.

13 Conservation Criteria (con t) Acres for America: Program Criteria Important fish, wildlife, and/or plant resources, such as endangered species or areas of significant biological diversity should be conserved through the acquisition. Provide all acquisition documents, including appraisals, title reports, surveys, and other appropriate documents. The fee transfer or perpetual easement must qualify for "conservation purposes" as defined by IRS Code 170(h). Provide public access for people to enjoy/experience the outdoors, recreate and connect with nature is preferred. Projects that can demonstrate the connection between land conservation and local economies are preferred. Debt retirement on acquisition projects is not preferred. Final disposition of land, including ownership, must be clearly stated. Letters of support from appropriate Federal Agency partners and Congressional representatives encouraged.

14 Acres for America: Match and Grant Process Match Requirements: Grants require a minimum 1:1 match of cash or contributed goods and services. Federal funds may be considered as match. Process: All applications must go through a two-stage process, 1) pre-proposal and then 2) final-proposal. The pre-proposal deadline is June 19. Only preproposals submitted through Easygrants are considered. Select "Apply for Funding"; scroll down to Walmart s Acres for America and select this option. Selected pre-proposals will be invited to submit final proposals. Deadline for final proposals is August 4. Final funding decisions will be made by the NFWF Board of Directors in November 2014.

15 A VISION FOR ALL 50 STATES Acres for America While not a requirement, the program is seeking to be supportive of projects in each state.

16 Program Examples Maine: Downeast Lakes Arizona: Greater Grand Canyon Florida: Yellow River Ravines

17 Downeast Lakes, Maine Conserved 312,000 acres, the second largest conservation easement in history, and saved mill and other forestry and natural resource-based jobs in the region. Downeast Lakes Forestry Partnership, Maine 312,000 acres. This land includes parts of 25 townships and ensures that sustainable forestry operations will be preserved. More than 550 mill and other forestry-related jobs will be protected, and more than 30 lodges, 50 guides, and other natural resource-based enterprises have the opportunity to grow. More than 180 species of birds have been recorded on this property, which protects 10 percent of the nesting lakes for common loons in Maine. Moose, bear, and pine marten are also found here.

18 Greater Grand Canyon, Arizona 1,250-acre easement helps protect one of our nation s crown jewel national parks, the Grand Canyon. Greater Grand Canyon, Arizona 1,250-acre easement that includes 850,000 acres of grazing rights. The acquisition of easements helped protect the integrity of 3 national monuments, 2 national recreation areas, 8 wilderness areas, and one of our nation s crown jewel national parks, the Grand Canyon. The property shares a 100-mile boundary with Grand Canyon National Park. Much of the land lies on the famed Kaibab Plateau, home to the highest density of remaining old-growth ponderosa pine in the southwest. This area harbors the world s greatest concentration of imperiled Northern Goshawks and it also is the only place on the planet where the Kaibab squirrel can be found. A new management plan was developed that allows sustainable grazing to continue.

19 Yellow River Ravines, Florida Project serves three strategic needs: conserves critical wildlife habitat, creates recreational opportunities, and helps to protect the mission of Eglin Air Force Base. Yellow River Ravines, Florida 11,313 acres. This acquisition connects existing conservation lands on Eglin Air Force Base, Blackwater River State Forest, and Conecuh National Forest to form a protected landscape of more than 834,000 acres. This habitat corridor is essential to preserve the ability of mammals, such as black bears, to move among protected areas. The site includes nearly 2,200 acres of wetlands and significant longleaf pine habitat.

20 1. Go to 2. Login or register GETTING STARTED

21 3. Choose Apply for Funding 4. Choose the Funding Opportunities called: Acres for America Fall Click Apply

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