OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is accepting pre-proposals for an upcoming grant intended to fund wildlife conservation projects that benefit at-risk species in Washington.
Pre-proposals for the 2027-2029 Washington Wildlife Diversity Grant Program are due no later than Friday, Nov. 13. From these pre-proposals, WDFW will select the projects best aligned with Washington conservation needs and WFDW priorities and invite a full project proposal. Funding will support wildlife conservation projects taking place between July 1, 2027 and June 30, 2029.
“WDFW can’t recover Washington’s at-risk wildlife populations alone,” said Jenna Judge, WDFW assistant wildlife diversity division manager. “We rely heavily on partners and fellow wildlife experts to help recover species. Our Wildlife Diversity Grant Program provides funding to empower and enable our conservation partners to complete vital species recovery work across the state.”
WDFW anticipates having approximately $900,000 in wildlife diversity grant funding to award for the 2027-2029 biennium. The Department anticipates supporting five to 15 projects with a minimum grant amount of $25,000 and a maximum of $250,000.
Applicants who are affiliated with public, non-profit, academic, or tribal entities are eligible to submit proposals. Interested applicants can learn more about the grant opportunity, project eligibility requirements, and how to apply on WDFW’s website.
The Department is hosting a virtual information session starting at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14 to provide an overview of this biennium’s grant opportunity and answer questions from prospective applicants. Pre-registration is required to receive a link to the information session.
WDFW will review and evaluate submitted pre-proposals and select applicants to the next round of the grant application process by the end of November. Full proposals will be due in January 2027, with funded project work starting no earlier than July 1, 2027.
Past projects funded by the Wildlife Diversity Grant focused on a range of native Washington species, from bats to bears and birds to bumble bees. These projects have helped progress wildlife conservation across the state – like in north-central Washington, where grantees studied how Canada lynx utilize habitats recently burned by wildfires, increasing land managers’ ability to apply best forest management practices to benefit the state-endangered cat. Another project surveyed butterflies across the state and identified population trends and conservation threats – essential information for wildlife managers implementing conservation actions. A third project focused on installing artificial burrows for western burrowing owls, expanding habitat for a species threatened in part by the lack of suitable habitat availability.
“We’re excited to continue the Wildlife Diversity Grant Program next biennium, building on the momentum from past projects’ successes and conservation milestones. This funding is making a real difference for Washington wildlife,” said Hannah Anderson, WDFW wildlife diversity division manager.
Funding for the Wildlife Diversity Grant program comes from an investment by the Washington state Legislature to restore and protect Washington’s biodiversity. The Department expects this funding to be available subject to final budget approval by the Legislature in 2027. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife, and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.
Source: WDFW
Author: Kienan Briscoe
