F23AS00228 FY 2023 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund Traditional Conservation Grants Program Region 1

Background
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) recognizes success in conserving and recovering endangered species depends largely on working cooperatively with States and Territories. Section 6 of the ESA authorizes the Secretary of Interior to enter into cooperative agreements with States that establish and maintain an 'adequate and active' program for the conservation of threatened and endangered species of fish, wildlife, and plants that are resident in the States.

Grant Details
The Traditional Conservation Grant Program aims to support the development and implementation of States’ programs to conserve and recover threatened and endangered species under the Service’s jurisdiction. Financial assistance, provided in the form of competitive grants, can be used to support projects that have direct benefits for federally listed species, candidate and at-risk species, and recently delisted species.
Projects proposed for funding may involve management, research, monitoring, and outreach activities or any combination thereof. Eligible activities may include introduction of species into suitable habitats within their historic range, enhancement or restoration of habitat, surveys and inventories of habitats, species status surveys, propagation of animals and plants, research such as genetic analysis to determine genetic health and population structure, public education and outreach tools such as website development or coordination workshops with local landowners to address a specific threat to a species, monitoring of candidate, at-risk, and recently recovered species.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include State governments that have entered into a cooperative agreement with the Service pursuant to section 6(c) of the ESA or enters into/reconfirms such an agreement within 30 days of the application deadline.
The minimum non-Federal cost share is 25 percent of the total project cost. If an application involves the collaboration of two or more States, the minimum non-Federal cost share decreases to 10 percent of the total project cost.

Period of Performance
The maximum period of performance (PoP) for a grant awarded through this notice is three years from the effective date established at the time of grant approval or the date of award obligation, whichever is earlier. If an approved grant award will not be completed within the PoP, the State may request a one-time extension of up to 12 months with appropriate justification.

Grant Value
$4,406,541 is expected to be awarded through this opportunity with an expected award date in July 31, 2023. The Service expects to award 46 grants in FY 2023 with an average award amount remaining consistent with previous fiscal year.

Place of Performance
Projects funded through this opportunity must involve voluntary conservation efforts within the United States.