The Central Appalachia Habitat Stewardship Program is administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) with funding from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, USDA’s Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and additional support from Altria Group and Cleveland-Cliffs in 2025. The program aims to restore and sustain healthy forests, rivers, and streams that support native bird and aquatic species populations across Central Appalachia. Priority focus is given to improving forest and freshwater habitats to boost populations of species such as the golden-winged warbler, wood thrush, cerulean warbler, brook trout, eastern hellbender, and freshwater mussels.

Applications are encouraged that enhance public and private forest management, improve stream health through restoration efforts, and engage public and private stakeholders via outreach, technical assistance, and community partnerships. The program stresses the importance of community engagement, traditional knowledge, collaboration, and co-design processes for project sustainability.

Grant awards will range between $75,000 and $500,000, with projects expected to be completed within four years of the start date. Projects must align with strategies outlined in NFWF’s Central Appalachia Business Plan, and matching contributions of 50 percent of the total project cost are preferred, though not required. Special geographical targeting will apply based on specific funding sources, with focuses within Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, tribal governments and organizations, educational institutions, and other relevant entities. All projects will be evaluated based on conservation outcomes, technical merit, partnership and community impact, and budget/cost-effectiveness.

Applications must be submitted via NFWF’s Easygrants system by July 17, 2025, at 12:00 PM (Noon) ET. An applicant webinar recording is available starting June 2, 2025. For assistance, applicants can contact Oleksandr Faryga at Oleksandr.faryga@nfwf.org or Katie Ombalski at katie@woodswaters.com. Additional Easygrants support is available via the Easygrants Helpdesk at easygrants@nfwf.org or (202) 595-2497.