NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant application period now open

PORTLAND, Ore., March 7, 2012 — The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) today announced that up to $225,000 of funding is available in Oregon for eligible individuals, local and state governments, non-governmental organizations, and tribes through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. The deadline to submit an application for CIG is May 4, 2012.

In conjunction with agricultural production, CIG is intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection. Projects must be within Oregon and may be area based or state wide in scope.

“The intent of the Oregon CIG program is to identify and utilize promising innovations or technologies that can help the agricultural community address natural resource issues,” said Ronald Alvarado, State Conservationist for NRCS Oregon. “CIG will benefit agricultural producers by providing more options for environmental enhancement and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.”

Applicants submitting proposals for the Oregon CIG may request up to, but not exceed $75,000 of matching federal funds. Applicants must provide a least 50 percent non-federal match with 25% of the total project being in-kind and the other 25 percent being cash contributions. The proposal must involve NRCS Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP)-eligible producers and should demonstrate the use of innovative technologies or approaches to address a natural resource concern in one of the following sub-categories: energy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, water quality or quantity, wildlife habitat, and plant health/vigor. CIG does not fund research. Instead, the program is designed to help in the adoption of measures that have been sufficiently studied to indicate a high likelihood of success.

Since 2009, the Oregon CIG program has awarded close to one million dollars in competitive grants. Projects include a rainwater harvest system, on-farm energy program and an eco-credit calculation tool. A full listing of recent Oregon CIG grants can be viewed online at: https://www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig/index.html

Additional information about the 2012 CIG is provided in the Oregon CIG Announcement of Program Funding, available online at: https://www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig/index.html.

Oregon CIG grant application materials are available on the Grants.Gov Web site. To submit your application electronically, visit www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp.

Complete application packet must be received by 4:00 p.m., Pacific Standard Time (PST) on May 4, 2012, either through Grants.gov or by mail to:

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Conservation Innovation Grants Program, Programs Staff
1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 900
Portland, OR 97232

Applicants who have questions regarding the application process should contact the CIG program manager, Todd Peplin, at 541-923-4358 ext. 131, or by e-mail at [email protected]

Source: https://www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/news/releases/2012/NR_2012-03-002.html

Download the Oregon CIG rules and application details.

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Clackamas SWCD