The Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (NEAFWA) is pleased to announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2012 grant cycle of the Northeast Regional Conservation Needs (RCN) Grant Program. The Northeast RCN Grant Program is a multi-state effort to address landscape-scale, regional wildlife conservation issues by combining resources, leveraging funds, and prioritizing conservation actions identified in State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAPs). The Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) coordinates and administers the Northeast RCN Grant Program on Behalf of the NEAFWA.

State fish and wildlife agencies have developed SWAPs to assess the condition of each state's wildlife and habitats as well as to outline the actions needed to conserve them over the long term. Many of the conservation needs identified in the SWAPs are best addressed at a landscape-scale ? a scale that does not conform to state boundaries. By combining financial resources through this grant program, the Northeast states have created an efficient and effective mechanism to address conservation goals common to each SWAP.

Proposals should serve all or a clear majority of the NEAFWA States, including CT, DE, DC, MA, ME, MD, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT and WV. Priority Topics that address significant needs outlined in the Northeast SWAPs have been identified by agency staff familiar with the conservation priorities shared by the states. Successful proposals for the 2012 grant cycle will address one of the following Priority Topics:

• Identify High Priority NE Species of Greatest Conservation Need
• Identify NE Species of Greatest Conservation Need Data Gaps, Design Data Collection Protocols, and Collect Data
• Design and Implement Conservation Strategies for NE Species of Greatest Conservation Need
• Design and Implement Monitoring Protocols, Measures, and Indicators for NE Species of Greatest Conservation Need
• Identify and Assess Threats to NE Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Proposals must be received by March 1, 2012 for consideration. The total amount of funding available for new projects is estimated at $400,000; requests of up to $100,000 are allowed for any one proposal. A Non-Federal Match that is equal to or greater than the RCN fund request is required. Funding for approved projects will be available no earlier than January 1, 2013, and projects must be completed in 2 years or less. View the complete RFP, submission procedures and additional information about the RCN Grant Program.(sjw)