NRCS Invites Proposals for Conservation Innovation Grants

DAVIS, Calif., March 29, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is now accepting proposals for its Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. Up to $375,000 is available for one- to three-year grants.  Proposals are due by June 17, 2016.

"As an Agency in a dynamic world we need to constantly adapt our technical tools to match them to the ever-evolving natural resource challenges found on California farms and ranches," says Carlos Suarez, state conservationist for NRCS in California. "CIG grants are a great way to open ourselves to the ingenuity available in both public and private partners and organizations."

CIG is a voluntary program to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. The proposed projects should augment existing NRCS technical tools (planning, assessment and/or delivery) to better facilitate conservation on farms and ranches.

In 2016 NRCS California is prioritizing proposals that improve the "technical toolbox" to address the following on-farm resource concerns: soil health, water conservation, water quality, plant quality, oak woodland health, air quality, climate change, energy conservation, waste recycling and wildlife habitat. Applicants are encouraged to explore the full program announcement to better match their proposals to these needs. Please see http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/ca/programs/financial/cig/

Funds will be awarded through a statewide competitive grants process and in 2016 will not include a pre-proposal process.  Eligible applicants include state and local government, nongovernment organizations, Tribal governments, eligible private business and individuals. Applicants may contact Erik Beardsley at [email protected] for more information.

Conservation Innovation Grants are also available through a national competition announced on March 7 of this year. See http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/newsroom/releases/?cid=NRCSEPRD805606.  Twenty million dollars are available for those grants.

Applicants are encouraged to email applications to Erik Beardsley. Alternatively they may be mailed or sent by overnight courier to Erik Beardsley, USDA-NRCS, CIG Program, 430 G Street #4164, Davis, CA 95616-4164. All applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. on June 17, 2016.

SOURCE USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service