IDNR accepting applications for Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship grants

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting applications for Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship grants through June 14.

Eligible applicants are conservation land trusts exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code and whose originating documents include in their purposes the restoration and stewardship of land for conservation intents.

The goal of the grant program is to increase the delivery of much needed stewardship activities to natural areas protected within the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC) system. Stewardship needs on natural areas throughout the state have continued to outpace the ability to deliver these services by individuals, volunteers, organizations, and government agencies. This grant program is designed to fund projects that immediately address this deficiency and begin to expand on the stewardship capacity of conservation land trusts through grants that will expand their staff and equipment for these activities.

Funding for this program is derived from a portion of the Illinois Natural Areas Acquisition Fund and must be used by IDNR for the stewardship of natural areas, including habitats for endangered and threatened species.

Stewardship actions funded by this grant program must be included in the management schedules approved by the INPC and are limited to a maximum of $100,000 per proposal. Eligible costs may include contractual services, staff time related to the project, equipment, and materials necessary to complete stewardship projects such as tools, safety items, herbicide, construction materials, and indirect costs. Benefit costs are not eligible.

Matching funds are required on all projects. The minimum match requirements allowed by administrative rule are 5% or $1,000, whichever is less, to ensure all land trusts have access to the program.

Potential applicants can find more information online or by emailing [email protected]. Go online to view the Notice of Funding Opportunity for IDNR programs or to browse all State of Illinois grant opportunities.