Central Appalachia Habitat Stewardship Program Applicant Webinar June 20, 2018

Transcription

1 Central Appalachia Habitat Stewardship Program Applicant Webinar June 20, 2018

2 Agenda I. Introduction to NFWF II. III. NFWF Grantmaking Process Review of RFP Overview Geographic Focus Program Priorities Metrics Evaluation Criteria Timeline IV. Reminders V. Intro to EasyGrants

3 Introduction: Staff Roles Amanda Bassow, Director, Northeastern Regional Office Cheas Elizabeth Nellums, Manager, Chesapeake Bay John Wright, Manager, Northeastern Regional Office Scott Hall, Senior Scientist, Bird Conservation Christine Cadigan, Director, Northeastern Woodland Conservation American Forest Foundation Katie Ombalski, Consultant Woods and Waters LLC

4 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 and enhance wildlife Bring collaboration among federal agencies and private sector How We Do It Leverage public funding with private money average 3:1 NFWF is An implementer we fund projects Bald eagle NFWF is not An advocacy organization that engages in lobbying or litigation

5 16,815 Investments 4,500 organizations All 50 states

6 April-May: RFP development and issuance Mid July: Grant proposals due Grant Making Process August: Technical Review NFWF Review Subject matter experts from state and Federal agencies, academia and NGOs NFWF synthesizes reviews and makes awards decisions Late-September to Late-October: Board and Congressional Notification Congress is notified of recommended grants. 30 days to comment. Mid-November: Grant awards announced

7 Review of RFP: Overview Up to $2 million available Grants of $50,000 - $200,000 each 1:1 non-federal match required Nonprofits, state and local governments, tribes, and educational institutions are eligible In order to Restore and sustain healthy forests, wetlands, rivers and streams that provide habitat for diverse native bird and freshwater fish populations.

8 Geographic Focus

9 Focal Geographies in Pennsylvania Shenango French Creek Upper Allegheny Mid and Lower Allegheny Laurel Highlands Dunkard Creek Conemaugh and Clearfield Headwaters Upper Juniata River Bald Eagle to Penn Valley Moshannon Triple Divide For more information on the focal geographies, visit

10 Family-Owned Woodlands Projects that involve the stewardship of family-owned woodlands are encouraged to target efforts in thirteen watersheds For more information refer to AFF s report Hidden in Plain Sight

11 Forests Conservation, Connectivity and Management American Woodcock Golden-winged Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Cerulean Warbler Early Successional Forest Mature Forest Late Successional Forest

12 Healthy River Systems Freshwater Mussels Eastern Brook Trout Eastern Hellbender Louisiana Waterthrush

13 Working with family-owned woodlands Projects that work with non-industrial private landowners.

14 Working with family-owned woodlands Projects that work with non-industrial private landowners Reach family and individuallyowned woodlands as project component in target geography Engage these woodland owners in stewardship to improve wildlife habitat Establish sustained communications/engagement strategy for the long-term

15 Working with family-owned woodlands: How can AFF help? Project planning Outcome and metrics development Marketing and sustained communications strategy Landowner database for tracking and evaluation Project analysis and evaluation Fundraising for the long-term Contact: Christine Cadigan Director, Northeastern Woodland Conservation

16 Metrics (pages 5-6 of RFP) Use the metrics provided Use all of the metrics that apply to your project Pay attention to the additional guidance Try to avoid metrics that double count outcomes

17 Evaluation Criteria (page 7 of RFP) Program Goals and Priorities Technical Merit and Work Plan Conservation Plan and Context Monitoring Long-term Sustainability Budget Matching Contributions

18 TIMELINE RFP Issued - 5/17/18 Applicant Webinar - 1:00 pm Proposals Due - 11:59 pm Review Period - August September Awards Announced - Mid-November 2018 Cycle will repeat in 2019!

19 Reminders Projects must start within 6 months of award and be completed two-three years from award. If you haven t thought about permits yet, START NOW!! Assume funding is Federal and therefore Federal rules apply (e.g., NEPA, ESA, SHPO, procurement) Start collecting your letters of support. Combine them in one PDF and upload them. 1:1 non-federal match is required. If you re coming up short, call us. Federal agencies, for-profits and individuals are not eligible. Indirect costs are allowed. Review the policy on our website. Read, and then re-read the RFP and Tip Sheet. Use the Help feature in Easygrants, and call us if you re confused.

20 Tips: How to Apply to NFWF easygrants.nfwf.org 1. Log in with an existing and password. Or create an account now this will give you time to familiarize yourself with the system. If you have trouble logging in, use the help feature. 2. Turn off your pop-up blockers. For Internet Explorer, turn them off again and again You can also use Chrome, Firefox or Safari. 3. Download and use the tip sheet available on the program webpage. 4. You can work on the narrative offline just download the Word document and upload it when you re finished. 5. There is a new mapping feature please be as specific as possible with mapping AND providing location information on your project. 6. Click save frequently. Do not click SUBMIT until all sections are complete Make sure all your check marks on the Review and Submit page are green.

21 Final Tips for Applicants 1. Re-read the RFP and reference the information provided through the links. Call us if you re confused. 2. These are competitive grants. Projects should address all criteria and have a wow factor. 3. Include lots of context and details don t assume we know your plan, partnership or watershed. 4. Be strategic first, opportunistic second. 5. Submit your proposal ON OR BEFORE July 12 th. 6. Note that NFWF staff will not be in the office at 11:59 pm on July 12 th!

22 QUESTIONS?

23 For Assistance 23 RFP and program questions: Amanda Bassow, Director, Northeastern Regional Office (202) Scott Hall, Senior Scientist, Bird Conservation (207) Elizabeth Nellums, Manager, Chesapeake Bay (202) Christine Cadigan, Director, Northeastern Woodland Conservation, AFF (202) Proposals are Due Thursday, July 12, 2018 by 11:59 PM Eastern Time Awards will be announced in Mid-November Easygrants and other application questions: John Wright Manager, Northeastern Regional Office (202)