The Bureau of Land Management Headquarters Wildlife Program has announced funding opportunity L25AS00168 for fiscal year 2025 to support wildlife habitat conservation and restoration projects on public lands. This program aligns with Department of the Interior priorities, including addressing climate change impacts, restoring habitat connectivity, and advancing environmental justice. The program focuses on restoring landscapes, improving wildlife migration corridors, and enhancing the resilience of ecosystems to climate-related challenges.

The total estimated funding for this opportunity is four million dollars, with up to twenty awards expected. Individual awards will range from ten thousand dollars to two million dollars, and there is no cost-sharing requirement. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, tribal organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations. For-profit entities and individuals are not eligible to apply.

Projects funded under this program may include habitat restoration efforts to meet land health standards, improve wildlife connectivity, and address invasive species impacts. Additional priorities include conducting wildlife inventories and monitoring to provide data on habitat and population trends, implementing climate change-related assessments, and promoting public awareness of wildlife conservation challenges and successes. Projects that engage underserved communities, including low-income, rural, and indigenous populations, are strongly encouraged.

Applicants must submit a complete proposal package, including the SF-424 application form, project narrative, and budget narrative. The project narrative, limited to fifteen pages, must address the statement of need, goals and objectives, public benefits, technical approach, and plans for project monitoring and evaluation. Proposals must also include environmental compliance information, stakeholder coordination details, and supporting documentation such as maps and key personnel qualifications.

Applications will be reviewed based on technical merit, public benefit, feasibility, and alignment with program goals. The review process includes an eligibility screening, merit evaluation, and risk assessment. Proposals will be rated on their ability to address program priorities, project management capacity, and potential to achieve measurable outcomes. Awards are anticipated to begin on July 1, 2025, and projects must be completed no later than September 30, 2030.

Applications are due by February 14, 2025, and must be submitted through Grants.gov. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Bureau of Land Management National Wildlife Program Lead, Elroy Masters, at emasters@blm.gov, or relevant field offices to discuss project eligibility and alignment with program priorities before submission.