Department of Natural Resources

The purpose of the Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship Grant Program is to increase stewardship on dedicated Illinois Nature Preserves and registered Land and Water Reserves through grants to Conservation Land Trusts, and to increase stewardship capacity within Conservation Land Trusts.

Not applicable, these are state funds.

Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act, 525 ILCS 35/14

TITLE 17: CONSERVATION CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SUBCHAPTER g: GRANTS PART 3051 ILLINOIS NATURAL AREAS STEWARDSHIP GRANT PROGRAM https://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/017/01703051sections.html

The purpose of the Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship Grant Program is to increase stewardship on dedicated Illinois Nature Preserves and registered Land and Water Reserves through grants to Conservation Land Trusts, and to increase stewardship capacity within Conservation Land Trusts.

Yes

Project Target – Priority will be given to projects primarily designed to (in priority order): A) INAI qualifying features for high quality natural community, specific suitable habitat or unusual species concentration. B) Lands or waters that meets the eligibility requirements for registration as a Land and Water Reserve (Section 4010.150, Title 17, Chapter V). C) Other natural features included within the INPC boundary. D) Nature Preserve Buffer. Project Activities – Priority will be given to projects primarily designed to (in priority order): A) Maintain high quality natural communities, specific suitable habitat, or unique species assemblages. B) Restore degraded natural communities to a high quality, improve specific suitable habitat or unique species assemblage’s habitat components. C) Maintain, restore or recreate large habitat blocks supporting sensitive wildlife species of forest (100 acres), grasslands (80 acres), wetlands (50 acres), grade “C” restorable prairies (20 acres or 1 mile of railroad prairie. D) Recreate natural communities or listed species habitat components. E) Maintain, restore or recreate habitat for species in greatest need of conservation or rare plants. F) Maintain or restore significant archaeological resources. G) Maintain or restore access to significant Geologic features. Project Concept – Projects will also be evaluated on the feasibility of the methods, budget and timeline to achieve the stated goals within the proposal as well as site intrusions, potential adverse impacts to cultural, natural resources or existing compatible uses and usage of other available resources.

Nonprofit Organizations;

Eligible recipients are Conservation Land Trusts exempt from taxation under Section 501 (c) (3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code and include in its purposes the restoration and stewardship of land for conservation purposes. By Administrative Rule, maximum funding to one project is $100,000. A suggested minimum project amount is $20,000. There is a 5% or $1000 matching fund requirement, whichever is less on each project. Length of grant term will be no more than two (2) years and will be paid on a reimbursement basis at the end of the project unless other arrangements are provided in the grant agreement.

Eligible recipients are Conservation Land Trusts exempt from taxation under Section 501 (c) (3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code and include in its purposes the restoration and stewardship of land for conservation purposes.

Project Grants

Quality of Natural, Cultural, and Environmental Resources

Applicant must be registered in the GATA portal. http://www.grants.illinois.gov/portal/

Grantee applicant must be registered and in good standing in the GATA portal. http://www.grants.illinois.gov/portal/

Apply online in Amplifund.

Grant Evaluation Criteria are as follows: Project Summary (10%) scoring is based on an assessment of the proposed stewardship action improving conditions or addressing threats to the qualifying features for which the site was dedicated or registered. Capacity/Leveraging (10%) scoring is based on an assessment of the project’s increase to stewardship and capacity than would otherwise occur. Qualifying Features (15%) scoring is based on an assessment of the relationship between the qualifying features and the stewardship action proposed. Stewardship Action Summary (15%) scoring is based on an assessment of the appropriateness of the mechanism and method of the stewardship action. Expected Outcomes and Benefits (40%) scoring is based on an assessment of whether the project outcome maintains or improves the conditions of the qualifying and/or significant features. Additional Benefits (10%) scoring is based on the benefits to implementation of the statewide plans.

This is a reimbursement based grant.

This grant application period is usually in the spring season.

This grant award usually takes three to six months after application until the awarded grantees have a signed grant agreement in hand.

Merit-Based Review Appeals Process In compliance with GATA, applicants have the right to appeal the evaluation process but not the evaluation score. More information is available at: http://ilga.gov/commission/JCAR/admincode/044/044070000D03500R.html

Grant time extensions must be requested 30 days prior to the ending of the grant agreement.

By Administrative Rule, maximum funding to one project is $100,000. A suggested minimum project amount is $20,000. There is a 5% or $1000 matching fund requirement, whichever is less on each project.

Stewardship activities. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, stewardship of land or water for the following: A) herbicide and herbicide applications, B) prescribed fire, C) restoration/enhancement of native plant communities, D) hydrologic restoration, E) fencing materials, F) other stewardship actions identified in an approved management schedule which are designed to maintain, preserve, or improve the condition of native natural communities, diversity of species, and ecological processes. 2) personal protection items (except boots), 3) hand tools, 4) radios, 5) contractual services for any eligible items, 6) equipment and equipment rentals. Project Target – Priority will be given to projects primarily designed to (in priority order): A) INAI qualifying features for high quality natural community, specific suitable habitat or unusual species concentration. B) Lands or waters that meets the eligibility requirements for registration as a Land and Water Reserve (Section 4010.150, Title 17, Chapter V). C) Other natural features included within the INPC boundary. D) Nature Preserve Buffer.

There are required quarterly reports and a completion final report.

If the grantee has an annual audit it must be uploaded into the GATA portal.

The grantee shall keep adequate records relating to its administration of a project, particularly relating to all incurred costs. All assets acquired through Special Wildlife Funds shall be accounted for. These records shall be available for audit by appropriate personnel of the Department and the State Auditor General. All records shall be retained in accordance with State laws.

Funding for this grant program is derived from a portion of the Illinois Natural Areas Acquisition Fund (NAAF); NAAF is a Department of Natural Resources fund that supports the acquisition, protection, and stewardship of natural areas, including habitats for endangered and threatened species (Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act, 525 ILCS 35/14).

All grants are obligated at the Comptroller's Office.

Grant Program Administration: By Administrative Rule, maximum funding to one project is $100,000. A suggested minimum project amount is $20,000. There is a 5% or $1000 matching fund requirement, whichever is less on each project. Length of grant term will be no more than two (2) years and will be paid on a reimbursement basis at the end of the project unless other arrangements are provided in the grant agreement.

https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/grants/Pages/StewardshipGrants.aspx

Stewardship actions funded by this grant program must be included in the management schedules approved by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission. Eligible costs may include staff time related to the project, equipment and materials necessary to complete stewardship projects such as tools, safety items, herbicide, construction materials, and indirect costs. Benefit costs are not eligible.

n/a

One Natural Resources Way, Springfield Illinois 62702

https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/grants/Pages/StewardshipGrants.aspx

https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/INPC/Pages/default.aspx

See past awards - DNR press releases

FY 2021 : $500,000