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Grants available to spur innovative conservation technologies in Oregon

The USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) recently announced that up to $250,000 of funding is available in Oregon for eligible individuals, local and state governments, non-governmental organizations, and tribes through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program.

The deadline to submit an application for CIG is 4 p.m. PST on May 31, 2019. In conjunction with agricultural production, CIG is intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection. Projects must be within Oregon and may be area-based or statewide in scope.

“The CIG program is critical for developing science, technology and innovative tools to address natural resource concerns on Oregon’s private working lands,” said state conservationist, Ronald Alvarado. “CIG helps bridge the gap between initial product development and taking that product or approach to market. The overall goal is to incorporate new innovations into NRCS technical manuals and make them available to the agricultural community.”

Applicants submitting proposals for the Oregon CIG may request up to $75,000 of matching federal funds. Applicants must provide a least 50 percent non-federal match that can be cash, in-kind or a combination of both.

The proposal must involve Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) eligible producers and should demonstrate the use of innovative technologies or approaches to address a natural resource concern in one of the following sub-categories: energy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, water quality or quantity, plant health/vigor, soil quality, and wildlife habitat.

CIG does not fund research projects. The program is designed to aid the adoption of measures that have been sufficiently studied to indicate a high likelihood of success.

Since 2009, the Oregon CIG program has awarded over $2.5 million in competitive grants. Projects include best management practices for nurseries in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, inventory protocols to assess mid serial stage forests, and wildlife habitat metrics/assessments guides. 

Additional information about the 2019 CIG is provided in the Oregon CIG Announcement of Program Funding, available online at Grants.gov.

Applicants who have questions regarding the application process should contact the CIG Program Manager, Amy Fischer, at 503-414-3292, or by e-mail at amy.fischer@usda.gov.