The Pulling Together Initiative seeks proposals that will help control invasive plant species, primarily through the work of public/private partnerships such as Cooperative Weed Management Areas.
Application Information
Applicant Eligibility
PTI applications are accepted from private non-profit (501)(c) organizations,local, county, and state government agencies, and from field staff of federal government agencies. Individuals and for-profit businesses are not eligible to receive PTI grants, but are encouraged to work with eligible applicants to develop and submit applications to PTI.
Proposal Eligibility
PTI grants provide an opportunity to initiate working partnerships and demonstrate successful collaborative efforts such as the development of permanent funding sources for Weed Management Areas.
To be competitive, a project must:
Prevent, manage, or eradicate invasive and noxious plants through a coordinated program of public/private partnerships; and
Increase public awareness of the adverse impacts of invasive and noxious plants.
Successful PTI projects:
Focus on a particular well-defined area, such as a watershed, ecosystem, landscape, county or Weed Management Area.
Incorporate on-the-ground weed management, eradication, or prevention.
Target a specific and measurable conservation outcome.
Are supported by private landowners, state and local governments, and the regional/state offices of federal agencies.
Have a project Steering Committee composed of local cooperators who are committed to working together to manage invasive and noxious plants across their jurisdictional boundaries.
Have a clear long-term weed management plan which is based on an integrated pest management approach using the principles of ecosystem management.
Include a specific, ongoing, and adaptive public outreach and education component.
Integrate an Early Detection/Rapid Response approach to response to invasives.
We encourage applicants to make connections with the Keystone species and habitats as listed on the NFWF website. A connection to a Keystone is desirable, but not required.
For additional information about each of these Keystone Initiatives, please visit our web site, www.nfwf.org/keystones. From there you can find more information about each of our Keystone Initiatives: Bird Conservation, Fish Conservation, Marine and Coastal Conservation and Wildlife and Habitat Conservation.
Application Procedures
PTI Applications must complete the online pre-proposal application form at www.nfwf.org/grantapplication.
The pre-proposal form deadline is May 18th, 2012, by 11:59 PM EST.
Applicants who are invited to submit a full proposal will receive instructions by May 29th, 2012, via e-mail for accessing the full proposal form. Full proposals, invite only, are due on July 23rd, 2012 by 11:59 PM EST.
Project Timetable
May 18th – Pre-proposal deadline
May 29th- Invitation to submit full proposal
July 23rd – Full proposal deadline
November 30th – Formal announcement of award recipients
Program Contact
For information regarding the PTI program or online Easygrants application procedure, please contact Teal Edelen at 202-857-0166. For technical questions regarding Easygrants, please contact info@nfwf.org .
Funding Information
It is anticipated that the Pulling Together Initiative will award a total of $1 million this year. The average range of award amounts is typically $15,000-$75,000, with some exceptions.
Partner Information
PTI grants are financed by funds from several federal agencies, which must be matched by cash or in-kind contributions from state, local, and private partners on at least a 1:1 basis. Proposal submission is invited and encouraged nationwide. All proposals are reviewed by a national steering committee composed of weed management experts from government and non-profit organizations.
For additional information on the partners involved in Pulling Together Initiative and their work managing invasive and noxious weeds, please click on the following links:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: www.fws.gov
U.S. Forest Service: www.fs.fed.us
Bureau of Land Management: www.blm.gov
Agency Funding Priorities
Each of the three federal agency partners participating in PTI has established its own funding priorities for the program Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to review these priorities in advance of submitting an application to PTI.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) funds are used to support conservation projects on BLM land. If work proposed on private land can be shown to directly benefit fish, wildlife, and other biotic resources on BLM land, BLM funds may also be used. Please note that the willing landowner must voluntarily sign a legally binding agreement with the BLM that will protect and secure the taxpayers' investment. A statement signed by the landowner indicating that he or she is aware of the requirement to sign such an agreement with the BLM must be included with the proposal.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) funds are used to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) funds are used to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. Such projects may take place on federal, state and/or private lands.
USDA-Forest Service (FS) funds are used to support conservation projects that improve ecosystems, associated fish and wildlife, native plant habitat, and forest health conditions on land administered by the FS. FS funds may also be used for projects on non-FS lands which directly benefit the FS mission and improve forest or rangeland health. Please note that FS staff cannot apply for or administer FS funds under this RFP, but are encouraged to partner with other groups to submit proposals.