Partners for Fish and Wildlife FY22

assistance in the form of cooperative and grant agreements to private landowners to restore and conserve fish and wildlife habitat for the benefit of federal trust resources. The PFW Program is delivered through more than 250 full-time staff, active in all 50 States and territories. Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program staff coordinate with project partners, stakeholders and other Service programs to identify geographic focus areas and develop habitat conservation priorities within these focus areas. Geographic focus areas define where the program directs resources to conserve habitat for federal trust species. Project work plans are developed strategically, in coordination with partners, and with substantial involvement from Service field staff. The program has been in existence since 1987 and has over 30 years of successful delivery. Project selection will seek to align or support the Secretary’s priorities. It also advance the Department of the Interior’s mission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s mission, and PFW’s mission, promote biological diversity, and based upon sound scientific biological principles. Program strategic plans inform the types of projects funded under this opportunity.  ***Applicants seeking technical or financial assistance from the PFW Program are requested to consult with a local PFW Program office BEFORE developing or submitting an application (see Agency Contacts at the end of this announcement or visit https://www.fws.gov/partners/contactUs.html).*** Conservation activities and projects do not have to meet all of the selection criteria. A. Priority ranking factors. Field staff will give highest funding priority status to proposed projects that meet more of the following conditions (sequence of listing does not imply order of preference): Support of Department of the Interior and Service Priorities. Projects will seek to amplify DOI and Service priorities. National Wildlife Refuge System. The purpose of a proposed project on private lands will complement activities on National Wildlife Refuge System lands or contribute to the resolution of problems on refuges that are caused by off-refuge land use practices. Examples include: enhancing the quality of water that enters a refuge, facilitating wildlife dispersal, and establishing corridors between refuges and other protected habitats.  Species at risk and Federally designated species. The proposed project must improve habitat for species of management concern; species of special concern to the Service; endangered, threatened, or candidate species or species proposed for listing; and/or other declining species. Support 5-year Strategic Plans. The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program has developed robust stakeholder driven strategic plans which identify focal species and focal areas to invest limited resources towards. B. Secondary ranking factors. Field staff will give special consideration to proposed projects that meet more of the following conditions (sequence of listing does not imply order of preference): State and local collaboration. Projects delivered in collaboration with State fish and wildlife agencies, conservation districts, and other partners. This includes outdoor recreational opportunities where applicable and feasible. Links and augmentation. Projects that reduce habitat fragmentation and provide migration corridors. Globally or nationally imperiled. Projects that conserve or restore a natural community that a State Natural Heritage Program or Heritage Database has designated as globally or nationally imperiled. Climate Change and Climate Resiliency. Projects will seek to offset or combat climate change through design and resiliency. Carbon sequestration benefits will be considered where applicable. Buffers. Projects that serve as buffers for other important State or Federal conservation lands. Collaboration with United States Department of Agriculture. Projects delivered in conjunction with the Natural Resources Conservation Service or Farm Service Agency which provide leveraging opportunities through the Federal Farm Bill. Job Creation. Voluntary habitat conservation delivery puts local contractors and business to work and supports the American economy. Through the program, the Service and private landowners work collaboratively to implement local conservation strategies to support Secretarial priorities. In turn, the restored areas provide valuable benefits to the surrounding communities by supporting the local economy through tourism and recreation, protecting infrastructure from flood damage, and supporting America’s agricultural production by conserving soil, controlling pests, and benefitting pollinators. Funds spent in support of restoration projects create jobs, generate tax revenues, and spur economic activity in local economies, reflecting the Administration’s commitment to economic recovery. A Service report found that for every dollar the program contributed to a beneficiary project, $15.70 was generated in economic return to local communities. PFW Program work is focused on developing enhanced habitat connectivity, conserving pollinators, bolstering government-to-government relationships with federally recognized Tribes, collaborating with private landowners, and implementing a variety of tools related to securing the future of species of greatest conservation concern. Nearly every restoration project the Partners program delivers can be tied to confronting climate change. From supporting native fish reproduction by keeping streams running cold and clear to providing movement corridors for species impacted by warming temperatures. Voluntary habitat restoration provided by the Partners program will be key in achieving climate goals and providing clean air and water for future generations. Most PFW Program projects are developed collaboratively with the landowner, PFW Program local staff, and other conservation partners. PFW Program biologists are able to provide technical biological information and are knowledgeable about state-of-the-art techniques to restore, enhance, and protect fish and wildlife habitats for the benefit of federal trust species. If an applicant chooses to prepare an application independently, the application will be reviewed to determine if the potential project is consistent with the Department of the Interior Secretary’s priorities, FWS Priorities, goals of the PFW Program Strategic Plan, and if the potential project meets the Eligibility Requirements and Criteria as stated in the full announcement. PFW Program field staff are responsible for identifying and selecting habitat conservation projects, with concurrence from the field station Project Leader, or other appropriate authority. Field staff also use the project selection criteria to identify projects that maximize benefits to federal trust species, and use program resources in the most effective and efficient manner. Cost sharing is encouraged but not required. Cost sharing is the PFW Program’s strategy to leverage program funds with funds from other federal and non-federal partners to deliver habitat conservation cost effectively. All proposals should strive to secure a cost share ratio of one partner dollar for each PFW Program dollar. If other considerations are equal, priority for funding will be given to projects that have agreements longer in duration, involve greater partnership support and cost sharing, and have the greatest cost effectiveness. Prior to participating in any review or evaluation process, all staff and peer reviewers, evaluators, panel members, and advisors must sign and return to the program office point of contact the “Department of the Interior Conflict of Interest Certification” form. For a copy of this form, contact the Service point of contact identified in the Agency Contacts section below.