The Administration recently announced a new program that will leverage federal funding through the Department of the Interior, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Defense and private funding for up to $1 billion in conservation and restoration grants. The America the Beautiful Challenge will be administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and will focus on projects that help meet the goals of conservation efforts identified through the Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful report released in May 2021, focusing on the following core areas:

• Conserving and restoring rivers, coasts, wetlands, and watersheds
• Conserving and restoring forests, grasslands, and other important ecosystems that serve as carbon sinks
• Connecting and reconnecting wildlife corridors, large landscapes, watersheds, and seascapes
• Improving ecosystem and community resilience to coastal flooding, drought, and other climate-related threats
• Expanding access to the outdoors, particularly in underserved communities

“This Challenge will provide much needed funding for on-the-ground conservation work, in partnership with our state, Tribal, NGO and private working land partners,” said Tony Wasley, Director of the Nevada Department of Wildlife and President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. “This new grant program, which brings a variety of partners to the table, is the definition of true collaboration to protect, restore, and enhance our precious natural resources.”

Approximately $85 million will be available in year one of the program. Project proposals are due by July 21 and the full request for proposals can be found on the NFWF website.