WY Wildlife & Natural Resource Trust Grants

WY Wildlife & Natural Resource Trust Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Wyoming Wildlife & Natural Resource Trust
Last Updated: January 19, 2026

Summary

The Wyoming Wildlife & Natural Resource Trust Grants support projects that enhance and conserve wildlife habitats and natural resource values across Wyoming. Established in 2005, this initiative provides funding to non-profit and governmental organizations for various projects aimed at improving terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Eligible projects include habitat improvement, open space preservation, and water enhancement. The Trust's mission is to maintain Wyoming's rich natural heritage while ensuring public benefits through sustainable practices.

Overview

Background Wyoming is a vast landscape, mysterious, and unique. From jagged peaks rising above verdant valleys, to steamy vapors shared between river and sky, no two places are the same. Wyoming is a place where grasslands give way to sagebrush oceans, where mountains continue to rise, and wildlife thrive. This land is home to some of the greatest herds of large animals - bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, mule deer - and one of the richest assemblages of species in North America. Wyoming is a landscape rich in human heritage, a place where hope rides the range as regularly as the cowboy. To maintain this legacy, The Wyoming Legislature created the Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust in 2005. Funded by interest earned on a permanent account, donations and legislative appropriation, the purpose of the program is to enhance and conserve wildlife habitat and natural resource values throughout the state. Any project designed to improve wildlife habitat or natural resource values is eligible for funding. The Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust is an independent state agency governed by a nine-member citizen board appointed by the Governor. Legislative oversight is guided by a select committee of six members, three each from the House and Senate The office located in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The Board may grant funds only to non-profit and governmental organizations, but may participate with for-profit entities to enhance wildlife habitat, the environment, and Wyoming's natural resource heritage provided there is no allocation of financial resources to any for-profit entity.Funds may be used for planning, development, and monitoring programs at the sole discretion of the Board.By statute and rule, the following types of projects are allowed:Improvement and maintenance of existing terrestrial habitat necessary to maintain optimum wildlife populations.Preservation of open space by purchase or acquisition of development rights.Improvement and maintenance of existing aquatic habitat necessary to maintain optimum fish populations.Acquisition of terrestrial or aquatic habitat when existing habitat is determined crucial/critical, or is present in minimal amounts, and acquisition presents the necessary factor in attaining or preserving desired wildlife or fish population levels.Conservation, maintenance, protection and development of wildlife resources, the environment, and Wyoming's natural resource heritage.Participation in water enhancement projects to benefit aquatic habitat for fish populations and allow for other watershed enhancements that benefit wildlife.To address and mitigate impacts detrimental to wildlife habitat, the environment and the multiple use of renewable natural resources attributable to residential, mineral and industrial development.To mitigate conflicts and reduce potential for disease transmission between wildlife and domestic livestock.Projects are required to provide a public benefit. Applicants are encouraged to fully document all public benefits, such as continued agricultural production to maintain open space and healthy ecosystems; enhanced opportunities for outdoor recreation; enhancements to air, land, or water quality; maintenance or enhancement of wildlife habitat; preclusion of soil loss or disease; or other perceived public benefits.Projects funded under this program shall not require public access to private lands as a condition to receive any grant funds. However, projects that maintain or create continued or improved public access may be considered as one type of public benefit.Trust fund monies may be used to expand on, but not meet required mitigation, preclude regulatory actions, or for voluntary actions with a primary purpose of enhancing wildlife habitat, the environment or natural resource values.

Ineligibility

By statute and rule, expenditures for the following actions are not allowed:No funds shall be made available for the reintroduction of any native or non-native game or non-game species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act. The Board shall not have the power of eminent domain. No funds shall be disbursed for fee simple acquisition of real property. No funds shall be disbursed to purchase water rights, and no water rights may be accepted as gift, transfer, bequest, or donation unless such water rights are attached to real property.