Acres for America Conservation Project

Posted by on May 14, 2012

Acres for America Program Accepting Grant Applications for Conservation Project Land Acquisition
Deadline: June 1, 2012 (Pre-proposals)

A partnership between Walmart Stores, Inc. and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Acres for America program was established to provide urgent funding for projects that, through acquisition of interest in real property, conserve large, landscape-level areas that are important habitat for fish, wildlife, and plants. The goal of the program is to offset the footprint of Walmart’s domestic facilities on at least an acre-by-acre basis through these acquisitions.

Endorsement by appropriate federal, state, and local government agencies that the land acquisition is of high conservation value is a primary consideration. Preference will be given to acquisitions that are part of published conservation plans, State Wildlife Action Plans, and Endangered Species Act Recovery Plans. Natural Heritage rankings for key species present on the site are an important consideration when available. Endorsement by nonprofit conservation organizations that the acquisition is of high conservation value is also a primary consideration.

Acquisitions that contribute to “landscape level” conservation efforts that help reduce fragmentation are preferred over isolated acquisitions. Important fish, wildlife, and/or plant resources, such as endangered species or areas of significant biological diversity as identified by credible conservation agencies or organizations, should be conserved through the acquisition. Access to the land by the public is preferred but not required.

Approximately $2.5 million will be available annually through 2014 for conservation investments. All grant awards require a minimum 1:1 match of cash or contributed goods and services. Federal funds may be considered as match.

The complete Request for Proposals, application procedures, and information on previously funded projects are available at the NFWF Web site.

http://nfwf.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Charter_Programs_List&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=60&ContentID=24291