Brief Overview of Programs Below is a brief description of each program contained on this site. For more detailed information click on the program name.
| American Forests Global Re-Leaf (GRF) | Enhance the environment through tree plantings. | Technical assistance and cost share funding. Funds are generally for the costs associated with planting seedlings (including site preparation, seedling purchase, contracting, shelters). Successful proposals have seedlings costing between $.25 and $.50 a piece. Property owned by a government entity or public assisted private land. Project area must be on plantable land of 20 acres or more. |
| Backyard Conservation Program | Adapts conservation practices commonly used on agricultural lands to suburban and urban yards. | Technical assistance. |
| Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program | Encourages homeowners to garden for wildlife. | Technical assistance; information kits, approved habitats are designated official NWF Backyard Wildlife Habitat Site. |
| Bayscapes | Promote landscaping management to reduce pollution and enhance wildlife habitat. | Technical assistance. |
| Buffer Incentive Program (BIP) | Establish and maintain streamside buffers around the Bay and it's tributaries. | One time payment of $300/acre with at least one acre and the maximum of 50, upon verification of 65% seedling survival rate after one year. A reduced payment of 50% is payable for a survival rate of 50% - 65%. |
| Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants Program | A partnership between the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the EPA, and other Chesapeake Bay Program partners to promote small scale watershed restoration within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. | Funding from $5,000 to $50,000. In addition, five Community Legacy Grants of up to $100,000 are awarded annually. Develop or implement a local watershed management plan OR promote locally based protection and restoration efforts that complement watershed management strategies. Must link to a Chesapeake 2000 goal. |
| Chesapeake Bay Trust | Promotes public awareness and participation in restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay.They offer grants for habitat restoration and protection as well as riparian and wetland plantings. | Grants $1.00 - $2,000 reviewed on-going 4-6 weeks in advance of needing funds. Grants $2,000 - $25,000 are reviewed on a quarterly basis. Grants $25,000 - $50,000 RFP on annual basis. |
| Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage | Non-profit organization dedicated to creating, restoring, and protecting wildlife habitat and establishing more sustainable agriculture in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. | Technical assistance and project labor; CWH helps public and private landowners with habitat/wetland construction and finding funding for sustainable agriculture practices. |
| Clean Water Action Plan Nonpoint Source Program (319 Grant) | Support the goals of the 1998 CWAP through funding on the ground implementation of nonpoint source activities to improve water quality and aquatic and habitat health. | Funds are pending Congressional approval; FY 2001 funding was $1.1 million with hopes of funding 15 projects. Funding range is $5,000 - $40,000. Non-profit organizations are limited to a maximum of $25,000 unless they are partnered with a state, county, or local jurisdiction. |
| Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) | Implement conservation practices on crop and pastureland by taking land out of production for 10-15 years thereby improving water quality and wildlife habitat. | Annual rental payments or cost-share payments; Rental payments not to exceed $50,000/yr. Encourages wetland restoration by offering 25% of incurred costs in addition to 50% cost-share provided to establish approved cover. |
| Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) | Maryland specific enhancement of CRP. Goal is to enroll 100,000 acres statewide. | Eligible farmers receive one-time sign up bonus of $200 to $250 per acre depending on life of contract. Annual rental payments equal the cost per acre plus incentive payments from 75% to 100% per acre cost depending on type of buffer panted. Cost share funding available through other programs (see website) for installation of BMP’s (stream fencing, water troughs, stream crossings, etc.) on land enrolled in CREP. Some BMP’s are eligible for 40% bonus from USDA. Up to $10 per acre maintenance fee for life of contract. |
| Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) | Implement conservation practices and BMP's on land involved with livestock and crop production. | Cost-share and incentive payments for conservation practices; technical assistance provided; Cost-sharing pays up to 75% of certain conservation practices, and incentives are given to perform land management practices; Total payments do not exceed $10,000/yr or $50,000 for length of contract. |
| FishAmerica Foundation (American Sportfishing Assoc.) and NOAA Fisheries Community Based Restoration Partnership | Restoration of marine, estuarine, and riparian habitats. | Non-matching funding up to $30,000, but match strongly encouraged, technical assistance. |
| Five Star Restoration Challenge Grants | Restore riparian buffers and wetlands - emphasis on community partnerships contributing to projects. | Funding; Grants from $5000 and $20,000. Awarded to any public or private entity eligible and must include diverse partnerships and include education, outreach and community stewardship. |
| Freshwater Mussel Fund | Enhancement and protection of freshwater mussel resources and restore mussel shell populations allegedly affected by illegal acts. | Funding which resulted from a settlement agreement. Remaining funds are being held for state law enforcement use, especially those states involved in mussel investigations. |
| Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program (MACS) | Helps farmers protect natural resources on their farms, maintain farm productivity, and comply with a growing number of federal and state environmental requirements. | Grants cover up to 87.5% of the cost to install BMPs.Animal waste/containment projects - up to $75,000/farm with max. of $100,000 when combined with other BMP's. All other BMP's, Up to $20,000/project with max. of $50,000/farm. Up to $40,000 available when pooling project between 2 or more farms. |
| Maryland Environmental Trust (MET) | Promote growth management through donation of conservation easements protecting farmland, forestland, wildlife habitat, waterfront, significant natural areas, historic sites and scenic properties. | Provide contacts of local land trusts, puts land into conservation easements; 4 programs available, Conservation Easements, Local Land Trust Assistance, Rural Historic Village Protection, Keep Maryland Beautiful. |
| Maryland Nontidal Wetlands Mitigation Program | Regulates impacts on non-tidal wetlands by development and promotes conservation of existing wetlands. | Technical assistance and up to 100% funding available for nontidal wetland restoration, enhancement and creation. |
| Maryland Waterfowl Restoration Program | Increase and improve waterfowl habitat conservation on private lands through tax incentives. | Technical assistance; DNR inspects the project each year and provides the licensee with a form for tax purposes. |
| National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program | In support of the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act provide funding to enhance, restore and manage coastal wetlands. | Cost-share funding; States provide 50% of match, if state has established and maintains special funds for coastal wetlands federal share may increase to as high as 75%. |
| National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Challenge Grant | Provides challenge grant money to organizations addressing habitat protection and restoration on public and private lands. | Matching funds; dollar to dollar match; matches must follow the following rules: non-federal, derived from sources other than that of the grantee, dedicated specifically for the project. |
| National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, NRCS, NACD Challenge Grant for Conservation on Private Lands | Provide challenge grant money to private landowners, specifically farmers and ranchers, to support wildlife habitat and conservation of natural resources. | Matching funds; 2 to 1 match: matches must follow the following rules: non-federal, derived from sources other than that of the grantee, dedicated specifically for the project. |
| NOAA Community-Based Restoration Program (CRP) | “One stop shop” for information about fish habitat restoration funding opportunities from a variety of organizations, | Varies with program. |
| Shore Erosion Control | Address shoreline and streambank erosion through a variety of protection and habitat restoration methods, including structural and non-structural components. | Technical assistance and financial assistance for project implementation. 100% interest-free loans for local government sponsored projects of any type on community or public lands; 75% interst-free loans, NTE $25,000, for non-structural projects on private or community property. |
| North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) Standard and Small Grants Programs | Provide funding to conserve wetland ecosystems. | Matching funds; 1:1 cost share of non-federal match for habitat and wetland enhancement. |
| Partners for Fish and Wildlife | Restoring cleared, drained or degraded wetlands (fresh and saltwater), streamside areas, and fish and wildlife habitats on private lands. | Funding of restoration work, technical assistance; Program does not require but encourages a dollar for dollar cost-share. |
| Reforestation Income Tax Modification Program | Provide tax incentives to forest landowners to manage their forestland. | Income tax incentive; allows participants to deduct double the amount of reforestation or timber stand improvement costs from state income tax returns (less any cost-share assistance received from other programs). |
| Rural Legacy | Protects natural resources, farms, forests, and other sensitive environmental areas while maintaining the viability of resource-based economies and the proper management of tillable and wooded areas. | Grants to local government and land trusts to conserve land in designated Rural Legacy Areas. |
| Saltonstall-Kennedy Program | Increase the environmental and economic health and productivity of commercial and recreational fisheries. | Budget pending Congressional approval; non-federal match may be required; must not exceed 50% of total budget. Recent solicitations have included a cost share of 10% of total costs. |
| Small Creeks and Estuary Water Quality Restoration Program | Provide financial assistance to local government for implementing restoration efforts that provide water quality and habitat improvements to streams and estuaries. | Grant funding can cover up to 50% of the eligible costs of design and construction; local goernment must provide matching funds and/or in-kind services. Funding range: $20,000 - $500,000. |
| State Water Quality Revolving Loan Fund | Assist local government in financing water quality improvement projects for both point and nonpoint source pollution and to insure compliance with federal and state water quality requirements. | Funding and technical assistance, low interest rate loans. |
| Stormwater Pollution Cost Share Program | Provide financial assistance to local government for implementing stormwater management retrofits and conversions to control the load of nutrients and pollutants entering the state’s waterways. | Funding and technical assistance; grant funding can cover up to 75% of the eligible costs of design and construction; local government must provide matching funds and/or in-kind services. Funding range: $20,000 to $500,000. |
| Stream ReLeaf | Strives to reach statewide goal of 600 miles of riparian buffers by 2010. | Technical assistance; Stream ReLeaf will help design buffer plan, coordinate volunteers and locate incentive programs. |
| Town Creek Foundation | Preserve natural resources with an emphasis on estuaries and coastal lands in the Mid-Atlantic and federal public lands, also specific focus on environmental preservation on Talbot County, MD. | Non-match funding. Funding range: $10,000 - $100,000; average $30,000. |
| Tree-Mendous Maryland | Workshops for communities interested in the program; technical expertise, availability of native trees and shrubs at reasonable prices; recognition of community efforts through PLANT awards (People Loving and Nurturing Trees). | Native trees and shrubs can be purchased through the program. The Gift of Trees allows participants to purchase the gift of a tree for $25.00. |
| Wal-Mart Environmental Grant | Address local environmental concerns that will provide a long-term community value. | Non- match funding. Funding range: $500. |
| Watershed Assistance Grants | Support the growth and sustainability (i.e., organizational capacity) of local watershed partnerships in the United States. For the purpose of this program, a “watershed Partnership” is defined as an inclusive, enduring, diverse, community-based group organized to identify and resolve watershed problems and issues. | Funding up to $30,000. |
| Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) | Secure conservation easements and provide cost-share assistance to restore, protect and enhance wetlands and eligible buffers. | Provides funds for permanent easements and cost-share assistance for wetland restoration; Permanent easement payment of less than value of land, established cap or landowner offer and 100% of the restoration costs; Thirty year easement payment is 75% of that a for permanent easement and 75% of the restoration costs; ten-year cost share offers 75% of restoration costs. |
| Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) | Development or restoration of wildlife habitat, can also be used on aquatic habitat, adjacent streambanks and uplands on primarily private lands. | Provides funding and technical assistance for installing wildlife habitat and, preparing habitat development plan; Cost share with NRCS providing 75% of the cost for installing the habitat, can be used in conjunction with larger conservation plan. |
| Wildlife Links | Protect and enhance wildlife, fish and plant resources on golf courses. | Funding and technical assistance; $200,000 available annually for projects. |
| Woodland Incentive Program (WIP) | Provide cost sharing assistance for tree planting, site preparation and timber stand improvement practices. | Cost-share funding. WIP pays up to 50% for tree planting, site preparation and timber stand improvement. |
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