News Update
Grants for natural resources improvements available from USDA
Staff Report
Enviro-Net
The USDA is seeking proposals for grants to improve water quality, air quality and promote energy conservation. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is making $25 million available nationwide through the Conservation Innovation Grants program to address natural resource concerns.
Now in its eighth year, the CIG program offers funding dedicated to the adoption of technologies to address a broad range of agricultural issues. For example, the World Wildlife Fund is working with several partners on the Florida Ranchlands Environmental Services Project to design and field-test a program that would pay ranchers in the Northern Everglades for providing environmental services of water retention and phosphorus load reduction.
Successful applicants will demonstrate that their projects use innovative, on-the-ground conservation approaches and technologies. Funds will be awarded through a nationwide competitive grants process with applications being accepted from all 50 States, the Caribbean Area and the Pacific Islands Area.
Pre-proposal applications must be received at the NRCS national headquarters by close of business Dec. 28, 2010. To view the complete APF, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/cig/index.html.