2018 FWS NWR System Friends Program

Description

Awards issued under this program will provide technical and financial assistance to identify, conserve, manage and enhance the physical and ecological infrastructure of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS); deliver public access and high-quality outdoor recreational opportunities; build a volunteer cadre, and inspire the next generation of hunters, anglers and wildlife enthusiasts through work on and off NWRS managed lands and waters. This single source cooperative agreement to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) supports a community-based partnership between the Refuge Friends organizations and the National Wildlife Refuge System. Refuge Friends organizations play a vital supporting role in Refuge System operations by engaging in community outreach, education programs, habitat restoration, special event support, and volunteer activities. The purpose of this single source cooperative agreement is to provide $150,000 in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) funds to the National Wildlife Refuge Friends grant program, managed by National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). This funding will be used to support National Wildlife Refuge Friends organizations through a competitive grant process. These grants provide funding for Refuge Friends organizations to implement on-the-ground projects and to increase their organizations capacity. The grant program will award grants in the following four categories: 1. Nonprofit capacity building: Funds will be provided to assist both starting and established refuge Friends organizations to build their capacity. Funds for newly forming or reviving organizations may include formative and/or initial operational support. For example, funds may be requested for such things as membership drives, tuition for training, logo design, or consultant fees for website development. Funds for established refuge Friends organizations may include activities that strengthen an organizations ability to fully achieve its mission and sustain itself over time. For example, funds may be requested for a new event or expansion of an existing event, strategic planning consultant, membership or volunteer development activities, new software, or contributing to the building of a new community partnership. 2. On-the-ground projects: Funds will be provided to refuge Friends organizations seeking support for projects initiated and managed by the Friends. For these grants, Friends must clearly demonstrate their involvement in all elements of the project in their narrative, including how the project will benefit the Friends and foster increased engagement of the public, community, volunteers and/or members. For example, funds may be requested for a Friends organization which proposes to develop and deliver environmental education programs for local schools, manage a habitat restoration project from start to finish, manage the construction of an observation tower and how the Friends intend to use the facility to increase engagement with the Friends organization, or develop interpretive materials and programs that will be used by or delivered by the Friends organization. 3. Peer-to-peer coaching (P2P): Funds will be provided to refuge Friends organizations who propose to coordinate and execute a Friends training workshop for a minimum of three other refuge Friends organizations 4. Public Access Enhancements and Increasing Hunting and Fishing Experiences: Develop new or repair/improve/expand existing public access points or facilities, or construct new recreational infrastructure, providing outreach, experiences and education programs; work in collaboration and coordination with State, Local, and Tribal governments to support hunting and fishing recruitment, retention, and reactivation efforts by dovetailing, developing new, or improving or expanding hunting or fishing experiences and/or programs; and partner with habitat restoration projects which seek to enhance sustainable hunting and fishing programs.The period of performance for this award is August 6, 2018 through December 31, 2021. This award is made through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) CFDA 15.654 National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements under the authority of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. §§2901-2911; Fish and Wildlife Act, 16 U.S.C. 742 et seq.; Refuge Recreation Act, 16 U.S.C. §§460k-460k(4); National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act, 16 U.S.C. §§668dd-ee; Public Lands Corps Act - Youth Conservation Corps, 16 U.S.C. §§1701-1706; Public Lands Corps Act - Public Lands Corps, 16 U.S.C. §§1721-1726; Archaeological Resources Protection Act, 16 U.S.C. §§470aa-ll; and Federal Aid for Highways-Other Highways, 23 U.S.C. §§201-204 and §206.

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