BLM NM Wildlife Resource Management | L19AS00053

Opportunity Information: Apply for L19AS00053

The BLM NM Wildlife Resource Management grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number L19AS00053) is a Bureau of Land Management New Mexico (BLM NM) program that supports on-the-ground and data-driven work to maintain, restore, and conserve wildlife species and their habitats on BLM-administered public lands. The overall intent is to help ensure self-sustaining wildlife populations and a natural abundance and diversity of species for long-term public enjoyment and use, including both traditional wildlife uses like hunting and broader benefits like wildlife viewing. Because BLM lands in New Mexico contain highly diverse and ecologically important habitats that support thousands of species (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates), the program emphasizes practical conservation actions and strong interagency and community coordination to keep habitats functional and resilient.

A central theme of the opportunity is partnership-based conservation. BLM indicates it will work closely with State wildlife agencies, Tribes, other Federal agencies, and additional partner organizations under a shared stewardship approach. Projects are expected to align with cooperative, multi-party habitat and species management where responsibilities and benefits are shared. The opportunity also highlights the use of modern geospatial technologies to improve how wildlife and habitat data are collected, managed, and shared within BLM and with partners. In practical terms, this means projects that generate consistent, credible datasets (such as habitat condition information, species occurrence data, or spatial prioritization tools) are valued because they can improve coordination and decision-making across programs and jurisdictions.

The grant also reflects how wildlife habitat work is often interconnected with broader land management outcomes. BLM notes that wildlife funds may be leveraged with other BLM programs, especially for vegetation restoration efforts that simultaneously improve wildlife habitat and produce additional public-land benefits. These co-benefits include increased forage for livestock, improved water quality, removal or control of invasive weeds, and reduced risk of catastrophic wildfire. As a result, projects that integrate habitat restoration with landscape resilience and multiple-use objectives are a good fit for the program, particularly when they can demonstrate measurable improvements to habitat quality and ecosystem function.

For the 2019 focus described in the announcement, BLM NM emphasized activities tied to Administration and Department priorities as well as Congressional appropriations and internal BLM goals. Priority work areas include expanding hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities, identifying and improving access for these uses, and coordinating with State agencies to help meet State wildlife population objectives. The opportunity also underscores the economic and community angle, specifically working with rural communities to enhance economic opportunities related to wildlife. This may include habitat enhancements that support upland game, waterfowl, big game, and watchable wildlife species, with an eye toward sustaining recreation, local tourism, and related services.

Another notable priority is workforce and public benefit: the program explicitly mentions providing employment opportunities for youths and veterans. In addition, BLM emphasizes the value of producing consistent data that can streamline internal and external processes, including energy and grazing permitting, land use planning, and other planning or authorization decisions. In other words, projects that generate reliable, standardized information and decision-support products can help reduce bottlenecks and improve the efficiency of permitting and planning while still supporting conservation outcomes. The program also calls out partnering with conservation stewardship organizations to increase habitat quality, reinforcing that collaborative implementation and shared funding or capacity is encouraged.

Administratively, this opportunity was offered as a discretionary Cooperative Agreement under the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, within the Natural Resources funding activity category (CFDA 15.247). The anticipated scale was relatively modest, with an award ceiling of $75,000 and an expectation of about five awards. Eligibility was broad and included State, county, and local governments; special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; Federally recognized Tribes and other tribal organizations; and nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status.

The posting was created May 14, 2019, with multiple application due dates organized in rounds: Round One due June 14, 2019 at 4:30 PM EST, Round Two due July 15, 2019 at 4:30 PM EST, and Round Three due July 31, 2019 at 4:30 PM EST (also listed as the original closing date). Overall, the opportunity is best understood as targeted, partner-driven funding to improve wildlife habitat and conservation outcomes on BLM lands in New Mexico while also supporting access, recreation, community economic connections to wildlife, and the data infrastructure needed for efficient planning and permitting.

• The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BLM NM Wildlife Resource Management" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.247.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 14, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 31, 2019 Round One Applications Due June 14, 2019, 430 PM EST Round Two Applications Due July 15, 2019, 430 PM EST Round Three Applications Due July 31, 2019 430 PM EST. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $75,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for L19AS00053

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: