LONGLEAF STEWARDSHIP FUND. Informational Webinar Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Transcription

1 LONGLEAF STEWARDSHIP FUND Informational Webinar Tuesday, December 15,

2 RULES OF THE ROAD FOR THE WEBINAR Please mute your phone. Please type your questions into the Questions box in the webinar controls on the right side of your screen. We ll answer these questions during several breaks in the presentation, but you can type them in any time. Everyone will be able to hear the answers. Please do not place your phone on hold. While everyone is muted, we don t want to risk participants listening to diverting hold music or having that music on the recorded webinar. Don t be shy. If you have a question, someone else is thinking it too. If you experience a technical glitch, please type it into the chat/question box as we may not be able to hear you. The Webinar is being recorded and we will post a copy of these slides and the recording on the NFWF website at 2

3 WEBINAR AGENDA Program Overview Program Specifics Proposal Composition How to be competitive Application Details Timeline Tips for Applicants Resources 3

4 What is the LONGLEAF STEWARDSHIP FUND? A public/private partnership between USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service USDA Forest Service US Department of Defense US Fish and Wildlife Service Southern Company International Paper (Forestland Stewards Initiative) Altria Group PROGRAM OVERVIEW That does the following Accelerates restoration and enhancement of the longleaf pine ecosystem Supports the recovery of iconic and keystone species Implements the Range-Wide Conservation Plan for Longleaf Pine Supports the goals and missions of each funding partner 4

5 PROGRAM OVERVIEW GRANTS TOTAL OUTCOMES Overall, in four years 71 projects in 9 states awarded over $14.1 million Over $18.2 million in additional funds leveraged In total, these projects will Restore more than 47,400 acres Improve more than 552,000 additional acres Educate more than 6,200 private landowners on longleaf and resources Engage 950 private landowners in stewardship programs 5

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7 PROGRAM OVERVIEW What are the program s objectives? In 2016, the Longleaf Stewardship Fund seeks to achieve the following conservation outcomes 1. Restore 11,000-16,000 acres of longleaf pine on public and private lands 2. Burn 125, ,000 acres of longleaf pine on public and private lands 3. Increase populations of key longleaf ecosystem species (i.e., Bachman s sparrow, bobwhite quail, red-cockaded woodpecker, and gopher tortoise) 4. Involve more than 300 private landowners in restoration and enhancement activities 5. Support implementation of the Forestland Stewards Business Plan within Coastal Carolinas and Piney Woods 7

8 PROGRAM OVERVIEW Where should projects take place? Projects should occur in the following states Alabama Florida Georgia Louisiana Mississippi North Carolina South Carolina Texas Virginia Lands eligible for funding include: Privately-owned lands State and local government lands Federal lands (must be part of projects where state, local and/or private lands are also included) Applicants must be one of the following: Non-profit 501(c) State, tribal and local governments Academic institutions Historic Longleaf Range 8 Federal agencies cannot directly apply, but may partner on proposals

9 PROGRAM OVERVIEW Funding Availability: Approximately $3.5 - $4 million (total) available in Grant awards range from $50,000 to $350,000 depending upon funding category. To be eligible for funding, proposals must adhere to the following: 1. Have at least 1:1 match ratio of non-federal cash or in-kind services 2. Project periods up to two years, with significant deliverables achieved in year one 3. Be in good standing with NFWF regarding existing grant/reporting requirements 4. Describe progress to-date on current LSF grants if applicable 9

10 PROGRAM OVERVIEW Eligibility criteria continued: 5. Coordinate with and submit letters of support from: State Forestry Offices Appropriate military installation/base Commander or designee addressing specific benefits to military mission Forest Supervisor for projects including prescribed fire/alternative fuel treatments on National Forests Applicants are encouraged to coordinate with NRCS if proposal includes work on private lands, however NRCS no longer provides letters of support. 6. Additionally, applications including military bases/installations must demonstrate how projects will: Protect and sustain military mission through restoration and enhancement of areas buffering a base/installation; and/or Conserve important natural resources that will enhance mission operations - A questionnaire must be completed and signed by appropriate local military natural resource liaison and uploaded to Easygrants. 10

11 Any Questions? 11

12 What are the program s funding categories? 1. Partnership-based, Large-Scale Restoration (Significant Geographic Areas) Grants ranging from $150,000 to $350,000 Advance restoration and enhancement within significant geographic areas (SGAs) or significant sites Anchored by DoD Military Installations/Bases, National Forests, FWS Refuges, and state or other protected lands PROGRAM SPECIFICS Comprehensive, collaborative projects including the following activities: On-the-ground forest restoration Forest/habitat management and enhancement Landowner technical assistance and outreach Targeted capacity-building for planning and coordination One proposal per SGA is recommended 12

13 PROGRAM SPECIFICS 2. Strategic Restoration and Outreach Grants ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 On-the-ground restoration projects across the historic longleaf range that advance longleaf pine ecosystem conservation goals Project should focus on the following: Longleaf establishment Longleaf forest/habitat enhancement practices Private landowner outreach and technical assistance *Any project overlapping with an SGA should demonstrate coordination with the relevant SGA partnership 13

14 PROGRAM SPECIFICS What are the program s funding priorities? 1. Establishing Longleaf Pine 2. Enhancing and Maintaining Existing Longleaf Pine 3. Expanding and Coordinating Technical Assistance and Outreach 4. Building and Improving LIT Capacity * SGA projects only 5. Accelerating Species Recovery 6. Bottomland Hardwood Restoration and Enhancement *for LA, TX and NC/SC Coastal Plain projects only 7. Conservation Easements *for SGA Projects within LA, TX and NC/SC Coastal Plain only 14

15 PROGRAM SPECIFICS 1. Establishing Longleaf Pine Planting density of trees per acre recommended to meet both wildlife and timber objectives (Longleaf Partnership Council s White Paper on Longleaf Planting Density). Includes necessary site prep 2. Enhancing and Maintaining Existing Longleaf Pine Prescribed Fire and Fire Maintenance o o o o o Teams or strategies that promote coordination and collaboration to create efficiencies and expand capacity Training and technical assistance Incentives to increase Rx fire acres on private lands Increase Rx fire on or adjacent to National Forests Identify and address specific barriers or roadblocks to Rx fire implementation Additional Restoration and Maintenance Strategies o Thinning, invasive species control, mechanical and/or chemical treatments, planting native understory species 15

16 3. Expanding and Coordinating Technical Assistance and Outreach Priority will be given to projects that: I. Increase Outreach Success o Increase coordination and delivery of technical assistance (TA), including additional TA providers (additional staff, contractors, etc.) o Address technical assistance gaps o Complement and enhance existing efforts to integrate, coordinate and improve delivery of TA, planning, signup, on-the-ground work and monitoring o Address strategic priorities defined by relevant stakeholders and local implementation teams o Demonstrate that outreach and TA efforts will be aligned with other TA tools including NRCS costshare and other stewardship programs o TA requests must clearly describe how efforts will assist NRCS with implementation of EQIP and other Farm Bill cost-share programs II. Advancing New Market-based and/or Incentive Programs o Stimulate landowner participation in longleaf recovery efforts o Expand contract periods to promote longleaf restoration sustainability o Enhance restoration and maintenance activities III.Third-party Forest Certification o Increase participation in third-party forest certification programs to encourage sustainable forest management practices for longleaf pine ecosystem and associated wildlife 16 *NOTE: All applications requesting support for outreach and assistance should be submitted through LSF instead of the Conservation Partners Program. PROGRAM SPECIFICS

17 PROGRAM SPECIFICS 4. Building and Improving LIT Capacity *SGA projects only Strengthen capacity of local implementation teams/partnerships Projects may include: - Development of conservation plan Draft map of longleaf restoration priority areas must be submitted with proposal Conservation plan template available in Easygrants - Support of a Coordinator position Address how investments will lead to measurable conservation outcomes 5. Accelerating Species Recovery Implement strategies (e.g., Translocation), as part of larger project focused on longleaf restoration or enhancement 17

18 PROGRAM SPECIFICS 6. Bottomland Hardwood Restoration and Enhancement *LA, TX and NC/SC Coastal Plain projects only Targeted restoration and enhancement as part of larger longleaf proposal Site prep and planting Maintenance invasives control, thinnings, additional underplantings (to maintain planted sites and to support natural regeneration) Conservation Easements *for SGA projects within LA, TX and NC/SC Coastal Plain only Targeted land conservation projects that protect high quality, existing longleaf pine habitat, or key sites targeted for longleaf restoration and are part of larger longleaf restoration proposals Transaction costs primarily; will consider high leverage projects for acquisition costs

19 Any Questions? 19

20 SGA Project Example PROPOSAL COMPOSITION Accelerate Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Restoration on Private Lands on the Fall Line (GA, AL) The Nature Conservancy Geographic Focus Ft. Benning SGA public and private lands within the SGA Grant Award $311,000 On-the-Ground Restoration Habitat Management Technical Assistance/Outreach Capacity Building DoD Objectives 20 Plant 1,585 acres of longleaf on public and private lands. Prescribed burning, thinning, mid-story removal, invasive species treatment and native groundcover establishment on 20,800 additional acres. Organize field days, events, workshops and academies, linking 200 private landowners to cost-share programs, foresters and other professionals. Sustain a full time Outreach Director who will introduce landowners to Farm Bill, State and LIT/grant funded conservation cost-share programs, promote the objectives of the partners, and coordinate various LIT activities. Expand prescribed fire capacity throughout the SGA by funding a fire team to assist prescribed fire at Tuskegee National Forest. Supports Ft. Benning s military training and red-cockaded woodpecker recovery efforts.

21 Strategic Restoration and Outreach Project Example PROPOSAL COMPOSITION Longleaf Restoration on Private Lands in the North Carolina Sandhills SGA Sandhills Area Land Trust Geographic Focus Six counties comprising the NC Sandhills SGA around Ft. Bragg Grant Award $150,000 On-the-Ground Restoration Habitat Management Technical Assistance/Outreach Plant 600 acres of longleaf on private lands. Prescribed burning, thinning, mid-story removal, invasive plant treatments and native understory establishment on 4,200 additional acres of private lands. Working with NRCS and other partners, contact 300 landowners via field days and workshops to inform the public about cost-share program opportunities and introduce a longleaf restoration and prescribed fire education training series. Enroll 100 landowners; provide technical assistance to develop conservation plans and assist landowners with enrolling in cost-share programs to restore longleaf pine. Capacity Building 21 Develop Prescribed Burn Associations with landowners to increase fire capacity on private lands.

22 PROPOSAL COMPOSITION What makes a competitive proposal? 1. Conservation Outcomes: All projects must include specific quantitative, on-theground metrics that will be tracked and measured to evaluate project success. 2. Fund Need: Explain how funding is essential for activities to move forward. 3. Conservation Plan and Context: Relevance to existing conservation plan or strategy benefitting longleaf. Projects located within the Coastal Carolinas or Piney Woods region of Texas and Louisiana should address how the project advances the priorities and acreage and species goals outlined in the Business Plan for the Forestland Stewards Initiative. 4. Critical Species Benefit: Benefits critical species other than priority species for this program i.e. Bachman s sparrow, Gopher Tortoise, etc. 5. Partnerships: Demonstrate appropriate partnership exists or is developing to successfully implement project. *SGA projects should include federal, state, local and private partners *Military partnerships encouraged 6. Cost-Effectiveness/Efficiency: Clear, cost-effective and efficient budget that maximizes the conservation outcomes achieved and includes matching sources coming from diverse sources. 22

23 7. Technical Merit: Project will engage technical expertise throughout project planning, design and implementation. *Share application with your state s NRCS State Conservationist, State Forester and/or Forest Supervisor (as relevant) 8. Monitoring: Monitor project progress during and after project period. PROPOSAL COMPOSITION 9. Long-term Sustainability: Describe project maintenance post grant period including securing future funding. 10.Past Success: Demonstrate proven track record of longleaf conservation success of both applicant and partners. 11.Dissemination/Transferability: Explain strategy to showcase new and refined restoration methods and techniques. 12.Ancillary Benefits: Describe additional benefits that could result from your project. 23

24 APPLICATION DETAILS All applications will be submitted via Login or register 2 Select Apply for Funding 3 - Choose Longleaf Stewardship Fund Submit Eligibility Quiz 5 - Under your To Do list, select the Full Proposal task for the Longleaf Stewardship Fund program with a due date of February 4, Complete all sections (contact info, organizational info, project info, uploads, matching contributions, etc.) and click on save and continue in each section when it is complete *You may save and return to application 7 - Select Review and Submit on the left hand side of page and make sure the status of all sections is complete 8 - Select View PDF to review the completed proposal in its entirety *Recommend saving proposal on your computer from this view Click SUBMIT

25 APPLICATION DETAILS 1. Proposal Narrative Download the template from Easygrants Proposals should be no more than 9 pages Keep the formatting same font, font size and margins Do not delete the text provided in the narrative Be concise and focus on project need, scope of work and deliverables. Limit basic background information, e.g., the range-wide plan calls for restoring 8 million acres of longleaf pine Upload into Easygrants either as a Word doc or PDF 25

26 APPLICATION DETAILS 2. Metrics (Easygrants) Load program metrics using the Longleaf Stewardship Fund Activity/Outcome Metrics template from drop down menu. Delete all outcomes that don t apply to your project. Each metric s value at grant completion should always be greater than the current metric value. * If none of the available metrics apply to your project, please contact NFWF to discuss 26

27 APPLICATION DETAILS 5, , , , TPA 3. Metrics (Narrative Spreadsheet Upload) Download from Easygrants and complete 5, ,000 4, , herbicide For projects that include work in multiple states, break out metrics by state in the Notes column Upload completed spreadsheet ,500 5 Coordinator, burn crew

28 Any Questions? 28

29 APPLICATION DETAILS 4. Budget Use the green plus sign to add line items to the budget Use the pencil to edit line items in the budget Use the notes feature to add a narrative description for each section of the budget Learn more: 29

30 APPLICATION DETAILS 5. Mapping your Project Location Use the full proposal mapping tool to draw your project location or upload a shapefile Map the location(s) where on-the-ground project work will occur Be as specific as possible! You should not select an entire state or county as your project location unless your project spans the entire region Learn more: 30

31 APPLICATION DETAILS 6. NFWF s Indirect Policy Applicants with a Federally approved negotiated indirect cost rate agreement may take their federally approved rate All other applicants may take 10% de minimus rate More information is at: ages/indirect-policy.aspx 7. Proposal Tip Sheet Easygrants section by section Explanation of Uploads Matching Contributions guidance Easygrants FAQs 31

32 TIMELINE November December February Feb.-March Mar. - May June 12 th: RFP Released 15 th : Informational Webinar 4 th : Full proposals due Review Decisions Finalized Awards Announced Once awards are announced, a NFWF Grants Administrator will guide you through NFWF s fiscal and compliance review process, prepare an agreement and notify you via Easygrants that you may access the agreement for review Always acknowledge program funders in any project communications (i.e., NFWF, Southern Co. (and/or applicable operating companies), International Paper, Altria Group, DOD, USDA NRCS, FS, FWS) Must contact NFWF for appropriate logos Provide NFWF with materials for review and approval prior to publicizing 32

33 TIPS FOR APPLICANTS o If you ve never used Easygrants before, create your login TODAY and familiarize yourself with the system. o If you aren t new to Easygrants, check and make sure your login is working and that your organization s record is up to date in our system. o Start the application as soon as possible to minimize last minute Easygrants trouble. o Contact potential partners early in the process to develop project priorities, scope of work, and budget, as well as identifying sources of match. o If you re not familiar with the America s Longleaf Restoration Initiative Range-wide Conservation Plan for Longleaf Pine or don t know who to contact to learn more about the Local Implementation Teams, visit o We re here to help! Don t hesitate to contact us with questions about your proposal, Easygrants, etc. 33

34 RESOURCES Tip Sheet State Forestry Agency, NRCS State Conservationist & USFS Forest Supervisor Contacts Required Financial Documents Budget Instructions NFWF Indirect Policy Mapping Tutorial 34

35 QUESTIONS or COMMENTS Programmatic questions: Jon Scott (202) Suzanne Sessine (202) Easygrants questions: Lindsay Vacek (202) Easygrants technical support: helpdesk at or leave a message at