Invasive/Noxious Plants Grant

Funder: New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD)

The Invasive/Noxious Plants Grant, administered by the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, aims to combat invasive plant species threatening local ecosystems. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $40,000 support projects that utilize integrated management practices and partnerships to eradicate plants on the New Mexico Noxious Weed List. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, municipal entities, and tribes, with a requirement for 1:1 matching funds from non-federal sources.

Invasive Plants
Invasive plants threaten forested lands and can spread to other areas if left untreated. The Forestry Division works closely with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture and other partners across the state to limit the spread of invasives and manage populations to improve wildlife habitat and protect natural resources.
The Invasive Plant Program (IPP) provides grants to high priority projects that apply integrated management practices, leverage effective partnerships, and monitor results. To qualify for a grant, projects must address the eradication of plant species on the New Mexico Noxious Weed List.
Eligible applicants are from state, local and tribal governments. Potential applicants include SWCDs, municipalities, county offices, incorporated subdivisions of the state, public universities/school districts, community colleges, ditch associations, and tribes.
Applicants shall be required to provide 1:1 matching funds (cash or in-kind) from a non-federal source. If providing match may be a limiting factor, there may be funds available with the NMDA. This limited assistance is on a first-come-first-serve basis and is contingent upon successful award of the IPP grant.
Successful projects typically include several cooperating landowners and include the following components:

• Inventory and mapping
• Planning and coordination
• Integrated weed management
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Public awareness and education
• Funding

Applications may request a minimum of $5,000.00 and a maximum of $40,000.00. Purchase of items such as backpack sprayers, storage cabinets, storage tanks, or trailers are limited to a maximum of $5,000.00.

Eligibility

Projects involving invasive plant species other than those on the state’s noxious weed list may be considered on a case-by-case basis. The Forestry Division encourages cooperation with federal agencies, although their efforts may not be included as match and federal agencies are not eligible to receive funds for treatment. When listing the partnerships, applicants shall provide the name of any agencies that will be participating and a contact person who will be representing the agency for the purpose of this project. The Forestry Division may contact listed partners during application review to verify their involvement.All applicants must review the criteria indicated on the Federal Eligibility Checklist. Successful applicants will be required to comply with the Federal Eligibility Checklist.

Ineligibility

This program does not reimburse indirect costs. The Forestry Division shall not allow more than 10% in administrative costs. The last funded project may receive only partial funding if the Forestry Division lacks sufficient monies to fully-fund that project. Project contacts will be notified by the Forestry Division Program Manager before any partial funding is approved.