NRCS OFFERS INCENTIVES FOR CONSERVATION INNOVATION

Feb 27, 2008

For More Information:
Eric Suffridge, 406-587-6849
Robert Moler, 406-587-6842

Bozeman -- The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is making $500,000 available in Montana for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). Applications are due by April 16, 2008.

“CIG is a voluntary grant program intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative approaches to conservation while leveraging federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection,” said David Kascht, NRCS acting state conservationist for Montana. “CIG can benefit agricultural producers by providing more options for environmental enhancement and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.”

Applications for CIG should demonstrate the use of innovative technologies or approaches to address at least one of the five natural resource concerns, market-based approaches, or priority resources identified by NRCS in Montana. The five natural resource concerns are: water resources, soil resources, atmospheric resources, grazing land and forest health resources, and wildlife resources.

Detailed information about applying for CIG, including the natural resource concerns, is available online on the 2008 Conservation Innovation Grants web page.

The grant program is offered to a diverse set of potential applicants, including state and local agencies, nonprofit organizations, for-profit companies, tribes, and individuals to help develop, test, implement, and transfer innovative environmental solutions. Projects may be from one to three years in length. Grants will fund projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations.

Selected applicants may receive grants up to 50 percent of the total project cost. Applicants must provide non-federal matching funds for at least 50 percent of the project cost of which up to 50 percent may be from in-kind contributions. An exception allows for tribes and community-based organizations representing tribes to receive up to 75 percent of project matching funds from in-kind contributions. The NRCS contribution may not exceed $75,000 for a single project.

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