Opportunity Information: Apply for F18AS00147
The Highlands Conservation Act Grant Program (FY 2018 Competitive Funding) is a federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, that supports land conservation in the Highlands Region across Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Authorized under the Highlands Conservation Act (H.R. 1964, enacted in 2004; 16 U.S.C. 3901), the program is built around a straightforward goal: help these four states permanently protect lands and natural resources that have been identified as having high conservation value. The mechanism for doing this is direct land protection, meaning a state entity acquires land or a permanent interest in land (such as a conservation easement) from a willing seller so that the propertys important resources remain protected over the long term.
A key feature of the program is that projects must align with the conservation priorities mapped and documented by the USDA Forest Service through regional studies that identify high-value resource areas. Specifically, proposed acquisitions are expected to be consistent with the areas highlighted in the New York-New Jersey Highlands Regional Study 2002 Update and the Highlands Regional Study Connecticut and Pennsylvania 2010 Update. In practical terms, this means applications are not simply judged on general conservation merit; they must connect to the specific landscapes and resource values recognized in those studies, reinforcing a regional strategy for protecting water supplies, forests, wildlife habitat, and other critical ecological assets.
Funding is available only as appropriated by Congress, and the program is structured as a cost-share partnership rather than a full federal purchase program. Each year, the Governors of the four eligible states may submit proposals, and federal funds can cover up to 50 percent of the total cost of an eligible land conservation project. The remaining share must be covered by non-federal sources, typically through state funds and potentially other eligible matching contributions depending on program rules. This cost-share approach is intended to stretch federal dollars while encouraging strong state commitment and coordination in land protection decisions.
For FY 2018, the opportunity was listed as a discretionary grant under funding opportunity number F18AS00147, with CFDA number 15.667. Eligibility was limited to state governments, reflecting that the program is meant to fund state-led acquisitions and interests in land rather than awards directly to local governments, nonprofits, or private entities. The posting indicated an expected eight awards, with an award ceiling of $3,840,000. The opportunity opened on May 22, 2018, and the original application closing date was June 21, 2018, framing a relatively short competitive window for states to assemble and submit project proposals.
Beyond permanent conservation, the program description emphasizes public benefits that commonly flow from state acquisitions. By increasing protected state lands, projects can expand public access and recreational opportunities, including activities like hunting and fishing where appropriate under state management. The program also highlights protection of essential natural resources, especially drinking water, positioning conservation as an investment that supports both present-day needs and long-term resilience for future generations. Finally, it underscores partnership and community trust, noting that collaboration with state agencies to fund state and local priorities can strengthen relationships and support on-the-ground conservation outcomes in the Highlands Region.Apply for F18AS00147
- The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Highlands Conservation Act Grant Program - FY 2018 - Competitive Funding" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.667.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 22, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 21, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,840,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Highlands Conservation Act Grant Program (FY 2018 Competitive Funding) FAQs
What is the Highlands Conservation Act Grant Program (FY 2018 Competitive Funding)?
It is a federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. The program supports land conservation projects in the Highlands Region by helping eligible states permanently protect lands and natural resources identified as having high conservation value.
Which federal agency administers this grant opportunity?
The U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service administers this opportunity.
What is the basic purpose of the program?
The program is designed to help Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania permanently protect lands and natural resources in the Highlands Region, focusing on areas recognized as high-value for conservation.
What does "direct land protection" mean under this program?
Direct land protection means a state entity acquires land or acquires a permanent interest in land (such as a conservation easement) from a willing seller, so the propertys important resources remain protected over the long term.
Does the program support conservation easements, or only full land purchases?
The program supports acquiring land or acquiring a permanent interest in land, including conservation easements, as long as the protection is permanent and obtained from a willing seller.
Which states are eligible to participate?
The eligible states are Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Who is eligible to apply for FY 2018 funding?
Eligibility was limited to state governments. The program is structured for state-led acquisitions and permanent interests in land rather than awards made directly to local governments, nonprofits, or private entities.
Can local governments, nonprofits, or private landowners apply directly?
Not under the FY 2018 opportunity as described. Eligibility was limited to state governments, meaning awards were intended to go to state entities rather than directly to local governments, nonprofit organizations, or private individuals.
How are proposals submitted under this program?
The Governors of the four eligible states may submit proposals each year, consistent with the programs state-led structure.
What geographic area does the program focus on?
The program focuses on the Highlands Region across Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Are projects required to align with specific regional conservation priorities?
Yes. Proposed acquisitions are expected to be consistent with conservation priorities mapped and documented by the USDA Forest Service through regional studies that identify high-value resource areas.
Which USDA Forest Service studies are referenced for determining priority areas?
The opportunity references the New York-New Jersey Highlands Regional Study 2002 Update and the Highlands Regional Study Connecticut and Pennsylvania 2010 Update.
What does it mean for an acquisition to be "consistent" with the referenced regional studies?
It means the proposed acquisition should connect to the specific landscapes and resource values recognized in those studies, rather than relying only on a general statement of conservation merit.
Is this a full federal purchase program?
No. The program is described as a cost-share partnership rather than a full federal purchase program.
What is the federal cost-share amount?
Federal funds can cover up to 50 percent of the total cost of an eligible land conservation project.
Where does the non-federal match come from?
The remaining share must be covered by non-federal sources, typically through state funds and potentially other eligible matching contributions depending on program rules.
Is funding guaranteed each year?
No. Funding is available only as appropriated by Congress.
What is the funding opportunity number for this FY 2018 competition?
The funding opportunity number is F18AS00147.
What is the CFDA number listed for this program?
The CFDA number listed is 15.667.
How many awards were expected for FY 2018?
The posting indicated an expected eight awards.
What was the maximum (ceiling) award amount for FY 2018?
The award ceiling listed for FY 2018 was $3,840,000.
When did the FY 2018 opportunity open and close?
It opened on May 22, 2018, and the original application closing date was June 21, 2018.
How long was the competitive application window?
Based on the posted dates (May 22, 2018 through June 21, 2018), the competitive window was relatively short for states to assemble and submit proposals.
What kinds of public benefits does the program emphasize?
The description highlights that state acquisitions can expand protected state lands, increase public access, and create or enhance recreational opportunities. It also emphasizes protection of essential natural resources, especially drinking water, and frames conservation as an investment that benefits both current and future generations.
Does the program mention recreational uses like hunting and fishing?
Yes. The program description notes that increased protected state lands can expand recreational opportunities, including activities like hunting and fishing where appropriate under state management.
How does the program relate to drinking water protection?
Protection of essential natural resources is a stated focus, with a particular emphasis on safeguarding drinking water as a key public benefit of permanent land conservation in the Highlands Region.
What is the legal authority for the program?
The program is authorized under the Highlands Conservation Act (H.R. 1964, enacted in 2004; 16 U.S.C. 3901).
What is the long-term conservation outcome expected from funded projects?
The intended outcome is permanent protection of lands and natural resources through state acquisition of land or permanent interests in land, helping ensure key ecological assets remain protected over the long term.
What does the program say about partnership and community trust?
The description emphasizes that collaboration with state agencies to fund state and local priorities can strengthen relationships, build community trust, and support on-the-ground conservation outcomes in the Highlands Region.
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