Invasive Plant Grant (IPG) Program

The Invasive Plant Grant (IPG) Program aims to combat invasive plant species threatening Arizona's forests and grasslands. With $970,000 available, grants range from $50,000 to $200,000 for projects focusing on prevention, control, and eradication. Eligible applicants include local governments, nonprofits, and academic institutions. Projects must provide at least 10% matching funds. Preference is given to initiatives in diverse grassland areas and those offering higher match contributions. This program supports critical ecological restoration efforts.

The purpose of this program is to support projects that will treat invasive plant infestations that threaten forested, woodland, or rangeland areas. The theme for the FY 2024 funding cycle is grasses and grasslands. Projects may occur on state, federal, tribal, and private lands in Arizona.
This program focuses on the prevention, control/removal, and eradication of invasive plants and aims to achieve the following objectives:

• Target and treat invasive plants that are capable of transforming native plant communities in forests, woodlands, deserts, or rangeland
• Assist in preventing fire and flooding, conserving water, and restoring habitat to wildlife

Use an integrated weed management (IWM) approach when treating areas infested with invasive plants through the utilization of available tools, including manual, cultural, mechanical, chemical, and biological control methods
Funding:
A total of $970,000 is available to support awards ranging from $50,000 to $200,000 through this program. Funds will be provided on a reimbursement basis.

Eligibility

Examples of eligible projects include:

• Control/removal or eradication of invasive plants
• Replacement of invasive plants with native plants through reseeding and planting
• Removal of woody invasive plant slash by mulching or grinding
• Examples of eligible costs include those in the following categories:
• Administrative labor
• Project labor
• Fringe benefits
• Travel
• Equipment
• Supplies
• ContractualEligible Applicants:
• Local Government
• Academic Institutions
• Native American Tribe
• Non Profits

State GovernmentProjects may occur on state, federal, tribal, and private lands in Arizona. Applicants may submit more than one project application; however, the total funding an applicant may receive may be capped at the maximum award amount detailed in the Financial section.Applicants must provide at least 10 percent of the total project costs via cash and/or in-kind contributions.Specifically, allowable matching contributions include:

• Cash paid by award recipients
• In-kind expenses, including necessary costs incurred by award recipients or other organizations to support the project
• Volunteer hours at a reasonable rate
• Donated labor and/or equipment necessary to complete the specific project
• Physical work performed by individual landowners on their own property

Ineligibility

Funds may not be used for:

• Research and development projects
• Website, geographic information system (GIS), and database projects
• Projects that only include assessment activity and no related treatment of invasive plants
• Projects that include the purchase of capital equipment valued at over $5,000 per item
• Expenses incurred prior to execution of a formal written agreement between the funding agency and the award recipient
• Reimbursement of physical work performed by individual landowners on their own property
• Food or beverage purchases