Voluntary Conservation Partnerships

The Partners and Coastal Programs are not typical granting programs

Our biologists work closely with landowners and land managers to identify, develop, coordinate, and implement habitat restoration projects on a voluntary basis. We operate as a partner, not strictly a funding agency. We rely on landowners who want to restore their property and agree to maintain the restoration for at least ten years. In addition to forming partnerships with private landowners, we work with private organizations, and local, state, or other Federal government programs. The first step in becoming a partner is to contact us with ideas and questions.

Eligible landowners include private individuals, corporations, non-profit organizations, tribes, cities, counties, schools, and other state and federal agencies. We prioritize projects that benefit trust resources, including threatened and endangered fish, wildlife, and plants, migratory birds, and anadromous fish. Our team can provide cost-share funds and technical assistance to our partners. Highest priority projects are those that restore native habitat and provide long-term benefits to Federal trust species. These include anadromous fish, migratory birds, and rare or listed species. 

Examples of common project types include:

• Revegetation with native trees and shrubs
• Removing non-native vegetation
• Restoring ponds and other wetlands for native wildlife
• Livestock exclusion fencing and off-site watering
• Grassland restoration
• Improving fish passages and in-stream conditions for fish
• Restoring hydrology of streams and estuaries
• Supporting applied assessment, research and monitoring efforts focused on filling critical data gaps
• Supporting focused education/outreach efforts

Comparing Programs