The "Bureau of Land Management New Mexico Wildlife Program" (NOFO L25AS00197) provides funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for projects aimed at advancing wildlife habitat restoration and management. This program seeks to address climate change impacts, enhance biodiversity, support state wildlife population objectives, and engage underrepresented communities in conservation efforts.

Eligible applicants include state, county, city, and township governments, special district governments, public and private higher education institutions, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, tribal organizations, and nonprofit organizations with or without IRS 501(c)(3) status. For-profit organizations and individuals are not eligible. Cost-sharing is not required for this program. Applicants must be registered with SAM.gov and Grants.gov to apply, as detailed in the program instructions.

The program goals emphasize restoring wildlife habitats, improving habitat connectivity, supporting wildlife agencies in data gathering, and understanding climate impacts on priority ecosystems. Projects should focus on conserving critical habitats, leveraging data for monitoring species trends, and integrating cutting-edge geospatial technologies for effective resource management. Proposals must align with legislative authorities such as the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and Watershed Restoration and Enhancement Agreements.

Funding totals $135,000, with one expected award ranging from $10,000 to $135,000. Applications are due by February 26, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Proposals will be evaluated based on alignment with program priorities, technical approach, public benefit, applicant qualifications, and past performance. Special emphasis is placed on projects involving underserved communities and addressing climate resilience.

Applicants must submit a project narrative of no more than 15 pages, including a statement of need, goals, methodologies, public benefits, compliance plans, and evaluation metrics. A detailed budget narrative justifying costs is required, along with forms such as SF-424 and SF-LLL. Applications are to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov.

The selected project is anticipated to start on September 5, 2025, and must comply with federal reporting and administrative requirements. These include adhering to Buy America provisions for infrastructure projects and ensuring geospatial data meets Federal Geospatial Data Committee standards. Applicants are encouraged to engage early with the BLM Wildlife Resources Program Lead for guidance on project eligibility and alignment with program goals.