Pooled Migration Fund: Request for Proposals
Request for Proposals
Projects to support State of WY-USDA Big Game Program
Due Date: Proposals due February 16th, 2024, 4PM MST
Timeline: Funding announcements in March 2024 with support over 2 years (2024 and 2025)
Anticipated Award Amounts: $50,000-$100,000
Anticipated Projects Funded: 4-7
The WYldlife Fund (The Fund) unites people to advance Wyoming wildlife habitat, research, and education. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (Department) conserves wildlife and serves people. As a nonprofit partner of the Department, The Fund builds strategic partnerships to drive resources to the ground throughout Wyoming in order to advance Wyoming’s wildlife in alignment with the strategic vision of the Department.
The State of Wyoming has demonstrated itself as a leader in both the science and conservation actions related to big game migration for many years. The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission has directed the Department to prioritize conservation actions in big game migratory habitat for many years. Partnerships are critical to achieving these goals because they expand the personnel capacity and relationship network to deliver projects that benefit migratory big game.
In October 2022, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon signed an agreement that uses diverse Farm Bill programs and state expertise and resources to support voluntary conservation of private working lands and migratory big game populations in Wyoming. The Fund seeks proposals from NGO’s, State Agencies, County Conservation Districts, Tribal Partners, weed and pest districts, land trusts, etc. to expand the impact of the Wyoming-USDA Big Game Partnership to additional/new landowners or increase the footprint of conservation work on landowners with existing USDA Farm Bill Contracts.
Executive Summary
Seeking proposals to fund wildlife projects which include: vegetation enhancements, conifer removal, invasive annual grass treatments, wildlife friendly fence modifications, wildlife crossings, and any other project that improves connectivity and habitat quality for migratory big game. Capacity building projects such as mapping cheatgrass or inventorying fence modifications will be considered if the proposal also includes implementation of the conservation action as a component of the funding request.
Geographic Priority Areas
USDA and Wyoming have identified several initial priority areas for their partnership. Proposals that focus on, or encompass, these priority areas will be ranked most highly. Consideration will be given to projects that occur within the herd unit(s) but do not overlap existing corridors(see attached map). These Include:
- Platte Valley, Baggs, and Sublette mule deer migration corridors
- Absaroka Front Winter Range Complex
- Wind River Reservation
Ranking Criteria
- Focus on developing projects that utilize a combination of partnerships including USDA Farm Bill funds within geographic priority areas
- Matching funds provided by applicant
- Established relationships with landowners and/or Tribes
- Evidence of collaboration with other partners (e.g. Wyoming Game and Fish Department, USFWS-with special focus on work to be completed on Wind River Reservation, Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust, etc.)
- Ecological impact and wildlife benefits of the conservation practice
- Projects ready for immediate implementation
Additional Requirements
- Annual progress and final report which includes a shapefile of the completed project – first report due March 31st, 2025
If you are interested in applying for funds please reach out to Chris McBarnes with The Fund to receive the full application, chris@thewyldlifefund.org or (307)316-3863. Proposals will be reviewed by a grants advisory panel of Department, Tribal, Federal, Private Landowner and Fund representation. Proposals will be reviewed by the grants advisory panel and recommendations for funding will be sent to the full Fund Board for consideration and any additional questions. Please email your completed application to Chris McBarnes at chris@thewyldlifefund.org by 4pm MST on February 16th.
