Wildlife Diversity Grant Program

Wildlife Diversity Grant Program is sponsored by Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW). Supports projects that protect and restore Washington's wildlife diversity, with a focus on species of greatest conservation need.

Wildlife Diversity Grant Program | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Wildlife Diversity Grant Program Grant opportunity announcement for Washington’s 2027-2029 Biennium (July 1, 2027 – June 30, 2029) The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking pre-proposals for the Department’s latest round of Wildlife Diversity Grants from applicants interested in conducting projects in 2027 - 2029 that will benefit Washington’s wildlife.

Full proposals will be invited from select pre-proposal submissions. Proposed projects must take place within Washington Biennium 2027-2029 (BN27-29), which runs from July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2029. Applicants who are affiliated with public, nonprofit, academic, or tribal entities are eligible to submit proposals.

Funding for the Wildlife Diversity Grant program comes from an investment by the Washington state Legislature to restore and protect Washington's biodiversity . The Department expects this funding to be available subject to final budget approval by the Legislature in 2027. WDFW expects to have approximately $900,000 in Wildlife Diversity Grant funding to award in BN27-29.

Grant budgets can range from a minimum of $25,000 and a maximum of $250,000 per project. The Department anticipates supporting five to 15 projects this biennium. WDFW’s Wildlife Diversity Grant Program aims to support conservation and recovery actions for a suite of Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and Species of Greatest Information Need (SGIN) as described in Washington’s State Wildlife Action Plan .

The Department may also award grant funding for projects aimed at collecting data and information on species abundance, distribution, and habitat associations, with priority for SGCN and SGIN whose habitats are under significant threat of incompatible development, land use, or resource management.

The Department acknowledges that the nature of many grant programs may attract a disproportionately large number of applications focused on work to benefit federally listed species. While projects for federally listed species are eligible for the Wildlife Diversity Grant program, WDFW especially encourages submission of pre-proposals for projects focused on species that are not federally listed.

With 185 eligible SGCN and 148 eligible SGIN in Washington, there are many species that could benefit from external expertise and capacity through this grant program. We strongly encourage prospective applicants to consult WDFW subject matter experts before submitting a pre-proposal to ensure their pre-proposals are well-informed and aligned with WDFW priorities and plans for specific species.

Please read the full grant opportunity announcement (PDF) for details on eligibility criteria, WDFW priorities, how to coordinate with WDFW staff ahead of applying, and how to apply. Be sure to read the full announcement thoroughly as details and instructions to apply have been updated for this grant round.

Key changes from prior round: There is a pre-proposal step with selected full proposals being invited following pre-proposal evaluation. The budget range is $25,000-$250,000. The grant-eligible species list reflects the SGCN and SGIN from the 2025 SWAP.

Virtual information session WDFW hosted a virtual information session on October 14, 2026 to provide an overview of the grant opportunity and answer questions from prospective applicants. The session recording is available to view. Grant activities Date Pre-proposal period and submission form opens Oct.

5, 2026 Information session recording Oct. 14, 2026 Pre-proposals due by 11:59 p. m.

Nov. 13, 2026 WDFW invites selected full proposals and notifies others By end of November 2026 Full proposals due by 11:59 p. m.

Jan.

25, 2027 WDFW notifies applicants of selection status May 2027 Earliest possible project start date July 1, 2027 Grant opportunity basics Total available funding: $900,000 Eligible applicants: Applicants affiliated with public, nonprofit, academic, or tribal entities Project timeframe: Projects must occur between July 1, 2027 and June 30, 2029 Project budget range: $25,000 to $250,000, including indirect/overhead Eligible species: SGCN and SGIN within the Wildlife Diversity Division's scope (review "List of eligible species" section).

Ineligible species include fish, aquatic invertebrates, wolves, and most harvested wildlife. Summary information on previously funded grants is available in the following sections. Implementing recovery and conservation actions for eligible species that directly and measurably benefit species populations.

These projects contribute to increased species abundance, distribution, population health, or clear abatement of direct threats.

Collecting data and information on the abundance, distribution, habitat associations, or natural history of eligible SGCN and SGIN, with additional priority given toward species whose habitat is under significant pressure from development, land use, or resource management (i.e., shrubsteppe, eastside forest, prairies, and oak woodlands).

Completing direct actionable steps toward increasing eligible species’ populations (e.g., conservation translocation feasibility studies) or collecting baseline data about eligible species (e.g., developing survey protocols or assessing habitat use). Habitat restoration, conservation easements, or land acquisition Projects that primarily benefit species outside WDFW Wildlife Diversity Division’s scope of responsibility are not eligible.

These include fish, aquatic invertebrates, wolves, and most harvested wildlife. Review the grant opportunity announcement (PDF) (PDF) for more details on priority, eligible, and ineligible activities for inclusion in grant proposals, including a list of eligible species. Grant applicants must complete a pre-proposal application form no later than 11:59 p.

m. on Nov. 13, 2026.

WDFW will review responses and contact applicants, if needed, for follow-up questions and discussion about the proposed project. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please proofread and confirm all required components are included before submitting your application.

Full proposals will be invited following review of pre-proposals and additional instructions will be provided. Questions and communications concerning this grant opportunity may be directed to: Assistant Wildlife Diversity Division Manager Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife WildlifeDiversityGrants@dfw. wa.

gov Projects that benefit the following Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and Species of Greatest Information Need (SGIN) are eligible for this grant funding. Each species has unique data and conservation needs, and applicants are strongly encouraged to consult relevant WDFW subject matter experts prior to submitting a grant proposal. Applicants may email WildlifeDiversityGrants@dfw.

wa. gov to ask questions or to be connected to relevant WDFW subject matter experts to inform their grant pre-proposal.

All SGCN and SGIN are represented in the SWAP Resources , including explorer tools that provide the following information for SGCN and SGIN, respectively: Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) – status, reasons, citations, range by watershed, closely and generally associated ecosystems (habitats), threats, and conservation actions; and Species of Greatest Information Need (SGIN) – status, reason, and citations.

Many species also have a WDFW webpage that has information about their status and links to any WDFW publications related to that species.

Table 1: Eligible Species of Greatest Conservation Need (alphabetical by class) Common name Scientific name Class name Cascade torrent salamander Rhyacotriton cascadae Amphibia Cascades frog Rana cascadae Amphibia Coastal tailed frog Ascaphus truei Amphibia Columbia spotted frog Rana luteiventris Amphibia Columbia torrent salamander Rhyacotriton kezeri Amphibia Cope's giant salamander Dicamptodon copei Amphibia Dunn's salamander Plethodon dunni Amphibia Larch mountain salamander Plethodon larselli Amphibia Northern leopard frog Lithobates pipiens Amphibia Olympic torrent salamander Rhyacotriton olympicus Amphibia Oregon spotted frog Rana pretiosa Amphibia Rocky Mountain tailed frog Ascaphus montanus Amphibia Van Dyke's salamander Plethodon vandykei Amphibia Western tiger salamander Ambystoma tigrinum Amphibia Western toad Anaxyrus boreas Amphibia Woodhouse's toad Anaxyrus woodhousii Amphibia American avocet Recurvirostra americana Aves American bittern Botaurus lentiginosus Aves American white pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Aves Black oystercatcher Haematopus bachmani Aves Black tern Chlidonias niger Aves Black-footed albatross Phoebastria nigripes Aves Brandt's cormorant Phalacrocorax penicillatus Aves Brewer's sparrow Spizella breweri Aves Burrowing owl Athene cunicularia Aves Caspian tern Sterna caspia Aves Cassin's auklet Ptychoramphus aleuticus Aves Clark's grebe Aechmophorus clarkii Aves Columbian sharp-tailed grouse Tympanuchus phasianellus Aves Common loon Gavia immer Aves Ferruginous hawk Buteo regalis Aves Flammulated owl Otus flammeolus Aves Golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos Aves Greater sage-grouse Centrocercus urophasianus Aves Leach's storm-petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa Aves Lewis' woodpecker Melanerpes lewis Aves Loggerhead shrike Lanius ludovicianus Aves Long-billed curlew Numenius americanus Aves Marbled godwit Limosa fedoa Aves Marbled murrelet Brachyramphus marmoratus Aves Northern goshawk Accipiter gentilis Aves Northern spotted owl Strix occidentalis Aves Oregon vesper sparrow Pooecetes gramineus affinis Aves Prairie falcon Falco mexicanus Aves Purple martin Progne subis Aves Red knot Calidris canutus Aves Rhinoceros auklet Cerorhinca monocerata Aves Sage thrasher Oreoscoptes montanus Aves Sagebrush Sparrow Amphispiza nevadensis Aves Sandhill crane Antigone canadensis Aves Short-eared owl Asio flammeus Aves Short-tailed albatross Phoebastria albatrus Aves Slender-billed white-breasted nuthatch Sitta carolinensis aculeata Aves Streaked horned lark Eremophila alpestris strigata Aves Tufted puffin Fratercula cirrhata Aves Upland sandpiper Bartramia longicauda Aves Western bluebird Sialia mexicana Aves Western grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis Aves Western screech-owl Otus kennicottii Aves Western snowy plover Charadrius nivosus Aves White-headed woodpecker Picoides albolarvatus Aves White-tailed ptarmigan Lagopus leucurus Aves Yellow-billed cuckoo Coccyzus americanus Aves Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas Chelonia Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea Chelonia Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta Chelonia Northwestern pond turtle Actinemys marmorata Chelonia Olive ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys olivacea Chelonia Ashy Pebblesnail Fluminicola fuscus Gastropoda Blue-gray taildropper Prophysaon coeruleum Gastropoda Columbia Oregonian Cryptomastix hendersoni Gastropoda Crowned tightcoil Pristiloma pilsbryi Gastropoda Dalles hesperian Vespericola depressa Gastropoda Dalles sideband Monadenia fidelis minor Gastropoda Dry land forestsnail Allogona ptychophora solida Gastropoda Grand Coulee mountainsnail Oreohelix junii Gastropoda Humped coin Polygyrella polygyrella Gastropoda Limestone Point mountainsnail Oreohelix idahoensis baileyi Gastropoda Magnum mantleslug Magnipelta mycophaga Gastropoda Mission Creek Oregonian Cryptomastix magnidentata Gastropoda Newcomb's littorine snail Algamorda subrotundata Gastropoda Olympia pebblesnail Fluminicola virens Gastropoda Oregon megomphix Megomphix hemphilli Gastropoda Pacific vertigo Vertigo andrusiana Gastropoda Pale jumping slug Hemphillia camelus Gastropoda Poplar Oregonian Cryptomastix populi Gastropoda Pristinicola hemphilli Pristinicola hemphilli Gastropoda Puget oregonian Cryptomastix devia Gastropoda Ramshorn valvata Valvata mergella Gastropoda Rocky mountainsnail Oreohelix strigosa Gastropoda Shiny tightcoil Pristiloma wascoense Gastropoda Shortface lanx Fisherola nuttalli Gastropoda Skade's jumping slug Hemphillia skadei Gastropoda Thinlip tightcoil Pristiloma idahoense Gastropoda Beller's ground beetle Agonum belleri Insecta Black-fronted turret bee Diadasia nigrifrons Insecta Boreal whiteface Leucorrhinia borealis Insecta Buprestis gibbsii Buprestis gibbsii Insecta Columbia Basin dune moth Copablepharon columbia Insecta Columbia clubtail Gomphurus lynnae Insecta Delicate emerald Somatochlora franklini Insecta Golden hairstreak Habrodais grunus herri Insecta Hatch's click beetle Eanus hatchi Insecta Hoary elfin Callophrys polios Insecta Hopfinger's dune moth Copablepharon viridisparsa hopfingeri Insecta Island marble (butterfly) Euchloe ausonides insulanus Insecta Johnson's hairstreak Callophrys johnsoni Insecta Makah copper Tharsalea mariposa makah Insecta Mann's mollusk-eating ground beetle Scaphinotus mannii Insecta Mardon skipper POMAMA Polites mardon mardon Insecta Meadow fritillary subspecies jenistai Boloria bellona jenistai Insecta Monarch Danaus plexippus Insecta Morrison's bumble bee Bombus morrisoni Insecta Nelson's (Juniper) hairstreak Callophrys nelsoni Insecta Northern forestfly Lednia borealis Insecta Northern Rocky Mt refugium caddisfly Goereilla baumanni Insecta Oregon silverspot subspecies hippolyta Speyeria zerene hippolyta Insecta Pacific clubtail Phanogomphus kurilis Insecta Propertius duskywing Erynnis propertius Insecta Puget blue (Blackmore's) Icaricia icarioides blackmorei Insecta Puget sound fritillary subspecies Speyeria cybele pugetensis Insecta Sand-verbena moth Copablepharon fuscum Insecta Silver-bordered fritillary Boloria myrina Insecta Sonora (Dog Star) skipper Polites sonora siris Insecta Stenotothorax woodleyi Stenotothorax woodleyi Insecta Straits acmon blue Icaricia acmon Insecta Subartic bluet Coenagrion interrogatum Insecta Subartic darner Aeshna subarctica Insecta Suckley cuckoo bumble bee Bombus suckleyi Insecta Taylor's checkerspot Euphydryas editha taylori Insecta Valley silverspot Speyeria zerene bremnerii Insecta Variable dune moth Copablepharon mutans Insecta Western bumble bee Bombus occidentalis Insecta Whitehouse's emerald Somatochlora whitehousei Insecta Yuma skipper Ochlodes yuma Insecta American pika Ochotona princeps Mammalia Big brown bat Eptesicus fuscus Mammalia Black-tailed jackrabbit Lepus californicus Mammalia Blue whale Balaenoptera musculus Mammalia Cascade red fox Vulpes vulpes cascadensis Mammalia Columbian white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus leucurus Mammalia Dall's porpoise Phocoenoides dalli Mammalia Destruction Island shrew Sorex trowbridgii destructioni Mammalia Fin whale Balaenoptera physalus Mammalia Fisher Pekania pennanti Mammalia Fringed myotis (bat) Myotis thysanodes Mammalia Gray whale Eschrichtius robustus Mammalia Grizzly bear Ursus arctos Mammalia Guadalupe fur seal Arctocephalus townsendi Mammalia Harbor Porpoise Phocoena phocoena Mammalia Hoary bat Lasiurus cinereus Mammalia Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae Mammalia Little brown Bat Myotis lucifugus Mammalia Long-eared myotis Myotis evotis Mammalia Long-legged myotis Myotis volans Mammalia Lynx Lynx canadensis Mammalia Mazama (Western) pocket gopher Thomomys mazama Mammalia North Pacific right whale Eubalaena japonica Mammalia Northern bog lemming Synaptomys borealis Mammalia Northern fur seal Callorhinus ursinus Mammalia Northern sea otter Enhydra lutris Mammalia Olympic marmot Marmota olympus Mammalia Orca whale Orcinus orca Mammalia Pacific marten Martes caurina Mammalia Pygmy rabbit Brachylagus idahoensis Mammalia Sei whale Balaenoptera borealis Mammalia Silver-haired bat Lasionycteris noctivagans Mammalia Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus Mammalia Spotted bat Euderma maculatum Mammalia Townsend's big-eared bat Corynorhinus townsendii Mammalia Townsend's ground squirrel Urocitellus townsendii Mammalia Washington ground squirrel Urocitellus washingtoni Mammalia Western gray squirrel Sciurus griseus Mammalia White-tailed jackrabbit Lepus townsendii Mammalia Wolverine Gulo gulo Mammalia Woodland caribou Rangifer tarandus Mammalia Yuma myotis (bat) Myotis yumanensis Mammalia California mountain kingsnake Lampropeltis zonata Reptilia Common sagebrush lizard Sceloporus graciosus Reptilia Common sharp-tailed snake Contia tenuis Reptilia Common side-blotched lizard Uta stansburiana Reptilia Desert nightsnake Hypsiglena chlorophaea Reptilia Pygmy short-horned Lizard Phrynosoma douglasii Reptilia Ring-necked snake Diadophis punctatus Reptilia Striped whipsnake Coluber taeniatus Reptilia Table 2: Eligible Species of Greatest Information Need (alphabetical by class) Common name Scientific name Class name a cave obligate amphipod STDU Stygobromus duplus Amphipoda a cave obligate amphipod STEL Stygobromus elliotti Amphipoda a cave obligate amphipod STLA Stygobromus latus Amphipoda Narrow Amphipod Stygobromus rallus Amphipoda a cave obligate harvestman SPSE Speleonychia sengeri Arachnida a cave obligate mite ELHO Elliotta howarthi Arachnida a cave obligate mite ROOC Robustocheles occulta Arachnida a cave obligate pseudoscorpion AMCO Americocreagris columbiana Arachnida Georgia Basin Bog Spider Gnaphosa snohomish Arachnida Ancient murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus Aves Bank swallow Riparia riparia Aves Black swift Cypseloides niger Aves Black-backed woodpecker Picoides arcticus Aves Buller's shearwater Puffinus bulleri Aves Common nighthawk Chordeiles minor Aves Evening grosbeak Coccothraustes vespertinus Aves Fork-tailed storm-petrel Oceanodroma furcata Aves Grasshopper sparrow Ammodramus savannarum Aves Great gray owl Strix nebulosa Aves Horned grebe Podiceps auritus Aves Lesser yellowlegs Tringa flavipes Aves Northern saw-whet owl Aegolius acadicus Aves Olive-sided flycatcher Contopus cooperi Aves Pine siskin Spinus pinus Aves Pink-footed shearwater Puffinus creatopus Aves Pygmy nuthatch Sitta pygmaea Aves Red-necked grebe Podiceps grisegena Aves Rock sandpiper Calidris ptilocnemis Aves Rufous hummingbird Selasphorus rufus Aves Sooty shearwater Puffinus griseus Aves Townsend's warbler Dendroica townsendi Aves Tri-colored blackbird Agelaius tricolor Aves Williamson's sapsucker Sphyrapicus thyroideus Aves Wilson's phalarope Phalaropus tricolor Aves Giant Fairy Shrimp Branchinecta gigas Branchiopoda Horned Fairy Shrimp Branchinecta cornigera Branchiopoda Muddy Fairy Shrimp Branchinecta lutulenta Branchiopoda Pocket Pouch Fairy Shrimp Branchinecta campestris Branchiopoda a cave obligate springtail ONGE Onychiurus gelus Collembola a freshwater snail Galba perplexa Gastropoda Blue Mountainsnail Oreohelix strigosa delicata Gastropoda Brushfield Hesperian Vespericola pilosus Gastropoda Idaho Vertigo Vertigo idahoensis Gastropoda Kingston Oregonian Cryptomastix sanburni Gastropoda Nerite rams-horn Vorticifex neritoides Gastropoda Nimapuna Tigersnail Anguispira nimapuna Gastropoda Riblet Ambersnail Mediappendix gabbii Gastropoda Rocky mountain duskysnail Amnicola greggi Gastropoda Salmon Coil Helicodiscus salmonaceus Gastropoda Salmon River Pebblesnail Fluminicola gustafsoni Gastropoda Umatilla megomphid Megomphix leutarius Gastropoda a caddisfly ALAC Allomyia acanthis Insecta a caddisfly PHAN Philocasca antennata Insecta a dart moth EUHA Euxoa hardwicki Insecta a digger bee HAMI Habropoda miserabilis Insecta a mason bee Osmia thysanisca Insecta a mason bee HOOR Hoplitis orthognatha Insecta a mason bee OSTR Osmia trifoliama Insecta a mayfly AMAN Ameletus andersoni Insecta a mining bee ANFL Andrena flocculosa Insecta a mining bee ANRA Andrena raveni Insecta a noctuid moth PLYA Plagiomimicus yakama Insecta a noctuid moth SCED Schinia edwardsii Insecta a spiny crawler mayfly Ephemerella verruca Insecta Agoliinus hatchi Agoliinus hatchi Insecta Agoliinus sigmoideus Agoliinus sigmoideus Insecta Athoplastus palouse Athoplastus palouse Insecta Axinopalpus denticulatus Axinopalpus denticulatus Insecta Axinopalpus pratti Axinopalpus pratti Insecta Ballucus oregonus Ballucus oregonus Insecta Barnes' Cresent Phyciodes pallida barnesi Insecta Bembidion elizabethae Bembidion elizabethae Insecta Boreal duskywing Erynnis persius borealis Insecta Cascades Needlefly Megaleuctra kincaidi Insecta Chrysobothris eriogoni Chrysobothris eriogoni Insecta Cicindela decemnotata meriwetheri Cicindela decemnotata meriwetheri Insecta Coastal green hairstreak Callophrys dumetorum dumetorum Insecta Coenonycha globosa Coenonycha globosa Insecta Columbia River tiger beetle Cicindela columbica Insecta Common Wood-Nymph CEPE Cercyonis pegala Insecta Coulee Cricket Peranabrus scabricollis Insecta Dialytodius olympicus Dialytodius olympicus Insecta Douglas's Long-horned Bee Eucera douglasiana Insecta Edward's beach moth Anarta edwardsii Insecta Forbidden Free-living Caddisfly Rhyacophila vetina Insecta Forest bumble bee Bombus sylvicola Insecta Frechin's Tiger Beetle Cicindela bellissima frechini Insecta Frigid Bumble Bee Bombus frigidus Insecta Giant Needlefly Megaleuctra stigmata Insecta Golden-belted Bumble Bee Bombus kirbiellus Insecta Gold-hunter's Haristreak Satyrium auretorum Insecta Great arctic Oeneis nevadensis gigas Insecta Hatch’s tiger beetle Cicindela purpurea hatchi Insecta Island Tiger Moth APCO Apantesis complicata Insecta June's Copper Tharsalea mariposa junia Insecta Lupine Blue Icaricia lupini spangelatus Insecta Mayfly 3 Paraleptophlebia jenseni Insecta Nebria acuta quileute Nebria acuta quileute Insecta Nebria danmanni Nebria danmanni Insecta Nebria meanyi sylvatica Nebria meanyi sylvatica Insecta Nebria vandykei vandykei Nebria vandykei vandykei Insecta Nevada Buck Moth Hemileuca nevadensis Insecta Northern Rocky Mountains Refugium Caddisfly Rossiana montana Insecta Olympic Grasshopper Nisquallia olympica Insecta Orthocarpus Miner Bee Andrena orthocarpi Insecta Pacific Needlefly Megaleuctra complicata Insecta Pasqueflower Mason Bee Osmia pulsatillae Insecta Porter's miner bee Andrena porterae Insecta Pterostichus humidulus Pterostichus humidulus Insecta Pterostichus lanei Pterostichus lanei Insecta Pterostichus smetanai Pterostichus smetanai Insecta Pterostichus testaceus Pterostichus testaceus Insecta Pterostichus vandykei Pterostichus vandykei Insecta Rainier Roachfly Soliperla fenderi Insecta Rainier Stripetail Isoperla rainiera Insecta Rhadine lanei Rhadine lanei Insecta Sasquatch Snowfly SASSAS Sasquacapnia sasquatchi Insecta Siuslaw sand tiger beetle Cicindela hirticollus siuslawensis Insecta Skamania Roachfly Soliperla cowlitz Insecta Slenderhead Sallfly Kathroperla takhoma Insecta Spiny miner bee Andrena aculeata Insecta Sword Snowfly Paracapnia ensicala Insecta Talol Springfly Pictetiella lechleitneri Insecta Tooth-bellied Mason Bee Osmia odontogaster Insecta Umatilla Snowfly Isocapnia rickeri Insecta Valerata arctic Oeneis chryxus valerata Insecta Wenatchee Forestfly Malenka wenatchee Insecta Western branded skipper Hesperia colorado Insecta Yakima River oil-collecting bee Macropis steironematis opaca Insecta Yosemite Springfly Megarcys yosemite Insecta American Badger Taxidea taxus Mammalia California myotis Myotis californicus Mammalia Canyon Bat Parastrellus hesperus Mammalia Columbian ground squirrel Urocitellus columbianus Mammalia Gray-tailed vole Microtus canicaudus Mammalia Kincaid meadow vole Microtus pennsylvanicus kincaidi Mammalia Merriam's shrew Sorex merriami Mammalia Minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata Mammalia Northern flying squirrel Glaucomys sabrinus Mammalia Nuttall's cottontail Sylvilagus nuttallii Mammalia Olympic Shrew Sorex rohweri Mammalia Pallid bat Antrozous pallidus Mammalia Preble's shrew Sorex preblei Mammalia Pygmy shrew Sorex hoyi Mammalia Shaw Island Townsend's vole Microtus townsendii pugeti Mammalia Spotted skunk Spilogale gracilis Mammalia Western small-footed myotis Myotis ciliolabrum Mammalia Giant Palouse Earthworm Driloleirus americanus Oligochaeta Grants awarded in Fiscal Years 2026-2027 The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) awarded $1 million in Wildlife Diversity Grants for fiscal years 2026–2027, funding eight collaborative projects to protect some of the state’s most at-risk wildlife.

Several projects received second-phase funding to build on early successes, while new initiatives address emerging conservation needs across Washington.

Funded work includes bumble bee monitoring, bullfrog control to aid endangered pond turtles, artificial burrow installation for burrowing owls, shorebird monitoring in coastal dunes, streaked horned lark population studies, Oregon spotted frog recovery, protection of desert-striped whipsnakes, and assessing the feasibility of tufted puffin reintroduction.

WDFW received 60 applications requesting more than $12 million, underscoring the demand for species recovery funding. The Wildlife Diversity Grant Program is part of WDFW’s long-term strategy to restore and protect biodiversity through science-based, collaborative action. Continued legislative investment will help expand these efforts and address decades of underfunding for species recovery.

2025-2027 Grant Recipients Project Title Grantee Project Purpose Striped whipsnakes in focus: expanding knowledge and informing recovery Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy This project aims to advance the recovery and preservation of striped whipsnakes, a deeply imperiled shrubsteppe obligate species and candidate for state listing.

Goals include refining their statewide distribution, addressing key natural history gaps (e.g., diet and habitat selection), establishing long-term monitoring, and initiating conservation actions to mitigate impacts of wildfire and roads. These efforts will provide critical data and actionable plans to guide the species’ conservation.

Oregon Spotted Frog (OSF) Recovery and Bullfrog Management at Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, USFWS The primary purpose of this project is to control invasive American bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) in critical habitats where Oregon spotted frogs (Rana pretiosa) and bullfrogs overlap, particularly in the Black River area.

The project aims to enhance oviposition habitat between OSF populations at Dempsey Creek and 123rd to increase connectivity. By suppressing bullfrog populations, monitoring OSF breeding success, and restoring habitats, this project directly supports OSF recovery. Cross-Boundary Aquatic Invasive Bullfrog Control for Northwestern Pond Turtles in the Columbia River Gorge Mt.

Adams Resource Stewards To protect the endangered Northwestern pond turtle (NWPT), Mt Adams Resource Stewards (MARS) proposes to partner with Friends of the Columbia Gorge (Friends), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pierce National Wildlife Refuge (Pierce NWR), and WDFW (“Partners” to describe the combined cohort of organizations) to reduce the number of non-native bullfrogs through culling and egg mass removal on Partners' properties in Skamania and Klickitat Counties.

Assessing the viability of reintroductions as a conservation tool to restore Tufted Puffin populations Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge To inform conservation planning for the Tufted Puffin, state-listed as Endangered, we propose to create a report that assesses (1) current colony occupancy and trends all historically occupied colonies in the state, (2) habitat characteristics analysis of all historical colonies, (3) the current knowledge of seabird population active restoration strategies and techniques, and (3) viability of using active restoration for conservation of the species, and prioritized list of sites for doing so.

Understanding population dynamics of streaked horned larks at Olympia Airport Ecostudies Institute The proposed project will complete the first season of streaked horned lark demographic monitoring at Olympia Airport that is being initiated in April 2025 and continue monitoring up through the 2026 breeding season.

This project will improve our understanding of lark population dynamics under airport management activities and provide demographic vital rates for the largest lark population in the South Puget Sound located off of Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Implementing Long Term Monitoring for Bumble Bee SGCN at Sentinel Sites in Washington State The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation The goal of this project is to track SGCN bumble bee species - including western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis), Morrison bumble bee (B. morrisoni), and Suckley cuckoo bumble bee (B.

suckleyi) - to better understand trends in occupancy and drivers of those trends, and to serve as a detection system should these or other species experience changes in status. Information gained through this project will inform habitat restoration and stewardship of the lands that support these species.

Western burrowing owl artificial burrow installation and site suitability assessment U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Western burrowing owls have declined substantially in Washington. Artificial burrows have been used in recovery efforts, but we don’t fully understand why some artificial burrow sites successful while others are not.

We propose to install 40 new artificial burrows, collect pellets for analysis, and complete monitoring for occupation of burrows.

Multi-species monitoring in coastal dune habitat on partner lands to advance recovery of Western snowy plover and streaked horned larks Ecostudies Institute The proposed project is a continuation of an existing, multi-year effort to support collaborative conservation and recovery of the federally-threatened and State-endangered streaked horned lark and Western snowy plover in Washington coastal dunes.

This project aims to fill critical information gaps on distribution, demographics, and habitat use, through breeding season monitoring of both species and deploying GPS tags on larks to reveal non-breeding season movements and potential threats. Grants awarded in Fiscal Year 2025 WDFW selected 17 grants to be funded in state fiscal year 2025, allocating $1. 1M for the first round of this grant program.

These grants advanced a range of recovery actions and data collection efforts that will support recovery of at least twenty Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) (PDF) representing a variety of wildlife species in Washington. WDFW announced the new grant program in March 2024, and received 46 grant proposals, for a total budget request of $3.

9 million, from applicants interested in conducting projects to benefit a wide variety of wildlife species in Washington. A full list of the grant recipients and project titles is available below, along with project summary PDFs (hyperlinked in title) with more detailed information on each project.

Title Grantee Entity Primary Species Benefitting Total Awarded Maximizing Habitat Restoration for the Endangered Western Grey Squirrel in Washington State with a Spatial Prioritization Model (PDF) Sunny L. Jardine University of Washington Western Gray Squirrel $100,724 Where are the Whipsnakes?

Understanding the distribution of Washington's rarest snake (PDF) Adrian Slade Central Washington University Desert Striped Whipsnake $64,160 Implementing Long Term Monitoring for Bumble Bee SGCN at Sentinel Sites in Washington State (PDF) Sarina Society Inc. Bumble Bees $48,005 Washington Butterfly Assessments (PDF) Candace Fallon The Xerces Society Inc. Butterflies $82,691 Cross-Boundary Aquatic Invasive Bullfrog Control for Columbia Gorge Western Pond Turtles (PDF) Sara Woods Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust Northwestern Pond Turtle $41,690 Burrowing Owl Inventory on the Yakama Nation Reservation (PDF) Mark Nuetzmann Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Burrowing Owl $27,428 Identifying populations and cliff habitat for rare bat species of Washington (PDF) Shawn K.

Davis Slippery Rock University Foundation Townsend's big-eared and Myotis bats $24,547 Multi-species monitoring in coastal dune habitat on partner lands to advance recovery of Western snowy plover and streaked horned larks (PDF) Gary Slater EcoStudies Institute Snowy plover and streaked horned larks $103,563 Does habitat restoration in agroecosystem contribute to bat conservation?

An assessment for Townsend’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) in Eastern Washington (PDF) Christopher Cosma Conservation Biology Institute Townsend’s big-eared bat $79,717 Implementing Oregon spotted frog recovery actions and greater Sandhill crane monitoring at Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge (PDF) Trevor Sheffels US Fish and Wildlife Service Oregon spotted frog, Sandhill crane $63,000 Baseline surveys for shrubsteppe priority species on Hanford Reach National Monument Sheri Whitfield US Fish and Wildlife Service Burrowing owl, ferruginous hawk, Townsend’s/ Washington ground squirrels $66,900 Upper Methow Grizzly Bear Conflict Prevention Project (PDF) Madelyn Hamilton Methow Valley Citizens Council Grizzly bear $63,757 Lynx Habitat Use in the Face of Increasing Fire in the North Cascades (PDF) Carmen Vanbianchi Home Range Wildlife Research Lynx $100,000 Bat Hibernacula Surveys on Gifford Pinchot National Forest & North Cascades Level III Ecoregion (PDF) Shawn Thomas Bat Conservation International Townsend's big-eared and myotis bats $56,789 Assessing movements and habitat selection of Northwestern Pond Turtles (PDF) Sarah Converse University of Washington Northwestern pond turtle $114,460 Fungal-associated shell disease and immunogenetics assessment of northwestern pond turtles to evaluate their long-term health potential in the state of Washington (PDF) Obed Hernandez-Gomez New Mexico State University Northwestern pond turtle $77,486 Conserving Greater Sage-Grouse in South Central Washington (PDF) Seth Hulett Audubon Greater sage-grouse $110,614 Frequently Asked Questions What is the definition of a public entity?

For the purposes of this grant program, a public entity is the same as a public agency, as defined by RCW 39. 34.

020 : (1) "Public agency" means any agency, political subdivision, or unit of local government of this state including, but not limited to, municipal corporations, quasi municipal corporations, special purpose districts, and local service districts; any agency of the state government; any agency of the United States; any Indian tribe recognized as such by the federal government; and any political subdivision of another state.

” Will this grant opportunity be available in future years? Funding for the Wildlife Diversity Grant program comes from an investment by the Washington State Legislature to restore and protect Washington's biodiversity . The Department expects this funding to be available, subject to final budget approval by the Legislature each biennium.

Match is not required, but could a grant proposal request WDFW grant funding to cover a portion of a larger or longer-term project? Yes, absolutely. WDFW grant funds could be used to fund a phase or portion of a longer-term project.

The deliverables and outputs of the grant should be clearly described. Are there restrictions on grant funds paying for salary? No, grant funds can be used for salary, supplies, equipment, and travel expenses to implement grant-eligible activities.

Why isn’t habitat restoration or land acquisition an eligible activity for this grant program? Are there cases where habitat restoration could be part of an eligible proposal? Habitat restoration is not eligible for this particular funding opportunity for a few reasons: We agree that habitat restoration and protection is critical for wildlife recovery.

There are other available funding sources and grant programs that focus specifically on habitat restoration. The Wildlife Diversity Grant program is intended to meet a specific need to support wildlife recovery actions and species information gathering projects.

Some examples of habitat restoration that could be eligible and is not considered the primary purpose of a project include: Mowing a small area to install survey equipment such as a camera, or artificial habitat components such as a bat box. Surveying species response to habitat restoration treatments that are funded with another source. Habitat assessments to inform future recovery or habitat restoration actions are eligible.

Assessments that can inform priorities or improve effectiveness for habitat restoration that benefits eligible wildlife species. Could you please give examples of recovery and conservation actions that are eligible? With 184 eligible SGCN and 148 eligible SGIN in Washington, there are many species that could benefit from external expertise and capacity through this grant program.

Examples include: understanding migratory shorebird use of inland freshwater wetlands, changing habitat needs for gray whales, tri-colored blackbird habitat use, installing artificial burrows for burrowing owls, and abating threats and developing decision support tools for northwestern pond turtles.