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. 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.

State Wildlife Grants are distributed specifically for the protection and management of species in greatest need of conservation identified in the Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan.

The most recent federal guidelines (2007) for grants are provided online at www.wildlifearkansas.com/materials/ 2007%20SWG%20Guidelines.pdf.

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.

Who can apply? State Wildlife Grants are available to state agencies, nonprofit organizations, citizen groups, academic programs, universities and citizens of Arkansas.

What is the range of project funding? Projects will be considered for funding from $10,000 to $300,000 (total).

How much match must applicants contribute? Applicants will be required to provide matching funds. at a rate of $35 provided by the applicant in cash or in-kind contributions to $65 provided by grant funds. This is a change from previous years when the match requirements were $50 match to $50 grant funds.

What are in-kind contributions? In-kind contributions include facilities, equipment, supplies or staff time and can be used as match. These should be included in the pre-proposal with information detailing the methodology for determining value.

What are the evaluation criteria? Pre-proposals will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:

1. is feasible and practical in a two year time period;

2. addresses the priority actions of the Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan as identified in Attachment A;

3. makes every attempt to use funds as efficiently as possible; and

4. is within qualifications and abilities of organization/ individuals involved in project.

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

How does the grant proposal process work? AGFC is using a 3-step process: 1) a call for pre-proposals due in January; and 2) a solicitation for comments on preproposals due in February; and 3) the Implementation Team will review the pre-proposals in February (along with and associated comments) and request some applicants to submit full proposals. Sometimes additional information or changes will be requested by the reviewers.

What is the deadline for submission of pre-proposals? January 18, 2010.

When will award decisions be made? Full proposals must be approved by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission budgetary process (July) and by the US Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Aid Division in the fall. In cases where contracts are required, projects can begin once contracts are completed.

What is the project duration? Projects should be designed for November 1, 2010 to October 31, 2012.

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

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

Can SWG funds be used to buy land or easements? Yes.

Will my pre-proposal be kept confidential? No. We broadly solicit reviews from any interested parties about all of the pre-proposals. Review comments are taken into consideration by the Implementation Team when funding decisions are made.

Who will evaluate pre-proposals and full proposals and make decisions on the grant awards? The 2010 Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan Implementation Team is composed of Mike Armstrong, Assistant Director for Field Services, AGFC; David Goad, Wildlife Division Chief, AGFC; Mark Oliver, Fisheries Division Chief, Scott Simon, Director of the Arkansas Field Office of The Nature Conservancy, and Mark Sattelberg, Field Supervisor of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Conway, Arkansas office. Ken Smith, Director, Audubon Arkansas, has agreed to continue to serve as a pre-proposal reviewer.

What project attributes are encouraged?

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, 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.

How can I find out information about Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan? Updates are posted on the website: www.WildlifeArkansas.com.

Can I use institutional overhead as part of my match requirement? Yes, although proposals that use actual project related expenses as match will be valued more highly.

How can I get on the mailing list for future grant opportunities? Email jeanderson@agfc.state.ar.us

Jane Anderson, Assistant Chief
Wildlife Management Division
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
2 Natural Resources Drive
Little Rock, AR 72205
501-223-6350 / 501-351-5388

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