Conservation District- Pollinator Grants

The Conservation District Pollinator Grants aim to enhance pollinator habitats in Montana, offering funding between $5,000 and $15,000 for eligible projects. These grants prioritize initiatives that include monitoring plans and community engagement strategies. Eligible applicants must demonstrate conservation benefits and have a solid public outreach plan. The program encourages innovative approaches to educate the public about pollinators' vital role in ecosystems and supports projects that actively involve local communities.

Pollinator grants are available to conservation districts for any projects that will improve pollinator habitat within Montana. Example projects include community and demonstration gardens, area-wide pollinator initiatives, education events, and planting pollinator plots. In addition to the general guidelines provided previously in the overview section, the following guidelines apply specifically to the Pollinator Grants:

• The  application request may not exceed $15,000.

Applications that include a monitoring plan, a public outreach and education plan, and a partners’ plan will rank higher.Applications for this program should include the following components:

• Public Outreach and Education:

Develop and implement outreach initiatives to educate the public, local stakeholders, and community members about the importance of pollinators and their role in ecosystem health, agriculture, and biodiversity.Activities may include workshops, community events, informational campaigns, and educational materials tailored to various audiences.Include strategies to engage underserved or underrepresented communities.
Community Participation:
Actively involve local communities, schools, businesses, and other stakeholders.Promote citizen science opportunities to increase awareness and participation, such as monitoring pollinator populations or planting pollinator-friendly habitats.Pollinator Monitoring Program:Establish a monitoring protocol to track pollinator populations, habitat usage, and the overall effectiveness of program interventions.Include specific metrics and indicators to assess progress, such as changes in pollinator diversity, abundance, and habitat quality.

Eligibility

General Grant Eligibility RequirementsAll grant funds are provided by the legislature with the goal of empowering conservation districts to conserve the natural resources of Montana through locally led conservation. Grant funds can be used for activities such as planning and implementing on-the-ground conservation projects, educational programming and events, and improving pollinator habitat. General guidelines for all grant programs include the following:Conservation districts must submit an annual work plan or strategic plan that includes conservation priorities, planned annual activities, and an operational budget. The only exception is if applying for a planning grant to conduct the required strategic planning and/or develop an annual work plan.Funds cannot be used to purchase food more than 10% of the total project budget.
Funds cannot be used to purchase common items that can be easily borrowed, to purchase equipment for contractors, or items not considered essential to conducting a project or meeting project goals.Applications must demonstrate a public conservation benefit(s). Funds will not be provided for projects that are for private benefit only. Applications that address multiple resource benefits will rank higher in the evaluation process.All previous grants received by the conservation district must be in good standing (e.g. invoicing up-to-date and reports filed on time) before any new funding awards will be contracted.Applications should be approved by the Board of Supervisors during a public meeting prior to application submittal.

Ineligibility

Ineligible expenses will not be reimbursed. As grant funds are tax dollars, all expenses must be appropriate to the project. Expenses that benefit an individual or an organization other than a CD will not be considered eligible. This includes, but is not limited to, the items below:

• Activities outside the scope of work.Costs incurred outside the term of the agreement.
• Costs for food more than 10% of the overall project budget.
• Routine maintenance and operation.
• Equipment purchases require a 50:50 cash match.

Equipment or gear that will be owned by an entity other than the CD beyond the grant lifetime.Salaries/wages, travel, or other expenses not directly related to the project.
Funding for infrastructure vehicles, buildings, and other types of infrastructure are not eligible.Expenses not supported by back-up documentation