As part of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s State Wildlife Grant (SWG) program, Congress charged each state and territory with developing a state Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CWCS). Arkansas’ CWCS (now referred to as the Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan) provides an essential foundation for the future of wildlife conservation and an opportunity for state, federal agencies and other conservation partners to fit together individual and coordinated roles in conservation efforts across the state. As a part of this, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is responsible for requesting and administering State Wildlife Grants to support the implementation of the Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan.

The State Wildlife Grants are distributed specifically for the protection and management of nongame species in greatest need of conservation identified in the Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan. The amount available is expected to be approximately $500,000 in 2007. Federal guidelines for grants are provided in Appendix 1.

To help ensure that monies are applied to projects that most efficiently and effectively address the needs identified by the Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and its partners have developed a competitive grant process for the State Wildlife Grants.

In addition, we encourage projects with these attributes:

• Projects that integrate Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan priorities with other land-use or natural resource efforts at the local, state or federal level.

• Projects that address the needs of species of greatest conservation need while also benefiting other fish and wildlife.

• Projects that publicize and raise the profile of the Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan with elected officials, decision and policy makers, interested parties (e.g., land trusts), and the general public.

• On-the-ground stewardship or restoration projects that both implement the priorities of the Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan and can serve as demonstration projects that may be replicated in other places.

• Citizen science projects that engage the public in implementation of one or more high priority actions of the Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan.

• Research projects that lead to on-the-ground conservation.

What is the range of project funding? Projects totalling from $2,000 to $100,000 per project will be considered. Applicants will be required to provide 50 percent matching funds (i.e., for a $20,000 project, the applicant provides $10,000 in cash or inkind contribution).

What are in-kind contributions? In-kind contributions include facilities, equipment and supplies or staff time. These should be included in the preproposal.

Who will evaluate preproposals and full proposals and make decisions on the grant awards? The 2007 Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan Implementation Team is composed of David Goad, Assistant Director for Conservation, AGFC; Doyle Shook, Wildlife Division Chief, AGFC; Mike Armstrong, Fisheries Division Chief, AGFC; Karen Smith, Director, Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission and Ken Smith, Director, Audubon Arkansas.

What are the evaluation criteria? Preproposals will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:

1. feasible and practical in 1-2 year time periods,

2. closely aligned with the priority actions and strategies of the Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan (see Appendix 2),

3. within the scope of the funding priorities identified in this RFP, and

4. qualifications and experience of organization/ individuals involved in project.

In addition to these criteria, projects that propose to have direct matching funds, involve multiple organizations, may leverage additional conservation results beyond the individual project, or may serve as models for conservation that can be replicated elsewhere are encouraged.

What is the duration of funding for projects? July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2009. (In some cases, an extension may be granted).

How does the grant proposal process work? AGFC is using a 3-step process: 1) an open call for preproposals, and 2) comments on preproposals will be solicited, and 3) following review of the preproposals and associated comments by the Implementation Team, a number of applicants will be asked to submit full proposals. Final approval and announcement of grant awards will follow AGFC Commission budget approval prior to July 1, 2007.

What is the deadline for submission of preproposals? Deadline extended to January 16, 2007.

When will award decisions be made? Full proposals will be requested of prospective grantees on January 31, 2007. Full proposals are due to AGFC on February 26, 2007 and we expect to notify grantees of their awards by July 1, 2007

Can a single organization submit multiple preproposals for different projects? Yes

Are partnerships encouraged? Yes, partnerships between conservation organizations, academic entities, citizen groups and state agencies are encouraged.

How can I find out information about Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan? Updated information is available at www.WildlifeArkansas.com.

Can federal funds, ie., Wildlife Habitat Incentives Programs (WHIP), be used as matching funds? No. Federal money cannot be used to match SWG funds.

Who can apply? State Wildlife Grants are available to state agencies, non-profit organizations, citizen groups, Joint Ventures and citizens of Arkansas.

How is grant money distributed? The State Wildlife Grant program reimburses real costs incurred. Applicants submit documentation of expenses and are then reimbursed for 50%.

Please read these instructions carefully.

1. Submit preproposals as email attachments in MS Word or Acrobat pdf format no later than January 16, 2007 (Deadline Extended) to jeanderson@agfc.state.ar.us. 

2. Material submitted that does not conform to this format will not be considered. The length of the preproposal is limited to 5 pages:

1. Page 1 is a single cover page with contact/general information (see details in section 3 below)

2. Pages 2-4 are three pages of text about the proposed project, including budget (see details in section 4 below)

3. Page 5 is a single page outlining the qualifications of the individuals and organization involved.

4. Font size should be 11 point and margins should be 1 inch on all sides.

3. The cover page should provide the following information

1. Title of Project with short project summary (no more than 6 lines)

2. Name of project leader and job title

3. Affiliation

4. Email address

5. Physical mailing address

6. Telephone and Fax Numbers

7. Project partners: other principal individuals involved (name, title, affiliation, email, phone)

8. Total amount of money requested

9. Amount and source of matching funds or inkind services (that applicant provides)

4. Three pages of explanatory text (may include tables, graphs, and photos) are the principal component of the preproposal and should be written as clearly and concisely as possible, address the following questions, and provide the following information.

1. Which of the funding priorities does your preproposal address?

2. In what ecoregion, ecobasin, terrestrial habitat or area will your project be conducted?

3. What is the conservation priority that your project will address? (Refer to Appendix 2)

4. What is the goal(s) of your project and what major objectives or tasks will you undertake to achieve that goal? Goals should be written as outcome-oriented. For example, "By 2008, we propose to create and foster volunteer citizen groups that will work to enhance the conservation of riparian areas for the benefit of yellow-cheeked darters and hellbenders. We will use conservation easements, bank restoration....."

5. What are the methods (briefly) by which you propose to carry out your work?

6. What measurable products or outcomes will result from your project?

7. To what extent will your proposed project be able to take advantage of existing resources (e.g., funding, teams, conservation areas, partnerships)?

8. What is the proposed total budget of your project (divided into three categories – salary/benefits, operating expenses, capital expenses)? Approximately how much funding of the total project cost will you be requesting from State Wildlife Grants? Overhead or indirect costs may be included in your budget, but are limited to 10% of of total project costs. Anything in excess of 10% must be justified in your proposal.

For further information:

Jane Anderson

Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan Implementation Coordinator

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

2 Natural Resources Drive

Little Rock, AR 72205

501-223-6350

jeanderson@agfc.state.ar.us