Trail Restoration Grants

The Headquarters Bureau of Land Management (BLM) offices have collaborated with Qualified Youth Corps, as authorized by the Public Lands Corps Act (PLC), to accomplish natural and cultural resource-focused projects for numerous years. This program"s projects provide opportunities to gain work experience in public lands and natural resources management. Through their BLM experience, youth gain an appreciation for public lands, learn about natural resource management careers, and become the next generation of public lands stewards. The BLM Youth Program helps the agency accomplish projects across all program areas in support of the BLM"s multiple-use mission. The BLM Youth Program partners with qualified youth corps through the Public Lands Corp (PLC) Program to engage individuals between the ages of 16 and 30 (inclusive) and veterans up to age 35 (inclusive), including tribal members. The PLC program mandates employing youth who are interested in working on natural and cultural resource projects that protect public lands.Projects available under the PLC Program are developed in collaboration with the State Youth Program Lead and District/Field Office project coordinators. The projects emphasize hands-on engagement in on-the-ground projects, skill development training, and mentorship opportunities for participants. These projects create jobs that strengthen America"s economy and foster relationships with youth corps organizations striving for balanced stewardship and use of public lands.Proposed projects within this funding opportunity notice will support the goals of the PLC Program and may also incorporate the goals of the Indian Youth Service Corps Program through outreach to Indian tribes and tribal-serving youth corps organizations. Projects will include the following:Enhancement of recreation opportunities through trail building, maintenance and restoration, and other improvements to visitor and recreation facilities (e.g. kiosks, campgrounds, signage etc.).Monitoring riparian area vegetation and hydrological functions, collecting soil and stream data as well as timber stand improvement projects for wildlife habitat and overall forest health.Habitat restoration and wildlife protection, including reduction of invasive species, tree planting, fence removal/installation, riparian area restoration, etc.Development and implementation of natural and cultural resource stewardship plans or educational materials for visitors.Studies such as resource inventories, historic or archival research, archaeological excavation or stabilization, oral histories, historic preservation, habitat surveys, etc.Preservation of cultural resources, including historic structures.Seed collection for restoration of lands affected by natural disastersReduction of wildfire risk to communities, watersheds, and other public land ecosystems.Production of materials and programs on natural, cultural, and/or paleontological resources, communication, education, and interpretation of natural and cultural resources.In-house projects, such as cartography, records management, realty or wildland fire support, must demonstrate a clear benefit to natural or cultural resources and include a field component of at least 120 hours. Funding Opportunity Number: L26AS00064. Assistance Listing: 15.243. Funding Instrument: CA. Category: NR. Award Amount: $30K – $220K per award.

Delta Community, Environment, and Climate Grant Program is sponsored by Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy. The purpoose of the Delta Community, Environment and Climate Grant Program is to fund multibenefit projects in the Delta and Suisun Marsh. The Conservancy is soliciting proposals for three different priorities: Community Enhancement, Nature-Based Solutions, and Ecosystem Restoration. The purpose of the Delta Community, Environment and Climate Grant Program is to fund multibenefit projects in the Delta and Suisun Marsh. The Conservancy is soliciting proposals for three different priorities: Community Enhancement, Nature-Based Solutions, and Ecosystem Restoration. • Community Enhancement planning and implementation projects will benefit Delta communities through public access, recreation and tourism, historic and cultural preservation, environmental education, and community engagement. Funded projects will provide outdoor access for all, sustain the Delta’s heritage, and/or enhance the unique values of the Delta today. Example projects include, but are not limited to, water or hiking trails, sidewalks, bike routes, community parks or picnic sites, public boating infrastructure, visitor centers, kiosks, signage, renovation of historic buildings for public use, development of cultural relevant historic districts, educational materials for the public about environmental or environmental justice issues, and land acquisition to support community enhancement projects. • Nature Based Solutions projects will address ongoing subsidence and greenhouse gas emissions occurring on highly organic soils in the Delta and Suisun Marsh, which threaten the region’s communities, agriculture, ecosystem, and the State and Federal water projects. Example projects include, but are not limited to, planning and implementation of managed and tidal wetland restoration, crop conversion to paludiculture (e.g., rice, walking wetlands, other wet crops), technical assistance to access the Voluntary Carbon Market or support practice implementation, scientific research, education and outreach on related topics, and land acquisition or easement. • Ecosystem Restoration and Climate Adaptation projects protect the Delta and Suisun Marsh’s natural resources, environment, and biodiversity. Funded projects will restore, research, plan, or educate about landscape health and/or reduce the risks of climate change impacts upon natural resources, fish, and wildlife. Example projects include, but are not limited to, planning, education, habitat restoration and enhancement, wetland protection, watershed resilience, land acquisitions, and conservation easements. All projects funded through the Delta Community, Environment and Climate Program should aim to include multiple benefits as described below in Section IV Evaluation Criteria. Projects may span two or more of the funding priorities listed above. With rare exceptions, the Conservancy will cap funding amounts based on project type: • Planning, research, communication, and capacity building grants can be awarded between $100,000 to $750,000. • Implementation and acquisition grants can be awarded between $100,000 to $2 million.