NM Invasive and Noxious Plant Management | L20AS00063

NM Invasive and Noxious Plant Management (L20AS00063) - Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the NM Invasive and Noxious Plant Management grant opportunity?

It is a discretionary federal grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The program supports coordinated, on-the-ground and programmatic efforts in New Mexico to address noxious weeds and other invasive plant species.

2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number is L20AS00063.

3) Which federal agency is offering this funding?

The funding is offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

4) What type of award is used for this opportunity?

Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement.

5) What does a cooperative agreement imply for project implementation?

A cooperative agreement typically means BLM expects to have substantial involvement during the project. That can include collaboration on planning and implementation, providing technical guidance, setting or aligning data standards, participating in reporting expectations, and coordinating work with broader invasive species strategies.

6) What is the overall program category and CFDA number?

The overall activity category is Natural Resources, CFDA 15.230.

7) What is the main purpose of the grant?

The central purpose is to improve invasive and noxious plant management outcomes by working across boundaries so neighboring landowners and jurisdictions do not treat infestations in isolation and unintentionally allow re-infestation from untreated adjacent areas.

8) What geographic area is the program focused on?

The opportunity is focused on New Mexico.

9) What kinds of invasive plant problems does the program aim to address?

It targets noxious weeds and other invasive plant species, with an emphasis on both rapid response to new infestations and sustained treatment to reduce or eliminate established infestations.

10) What types of projects are supported under this opportunity?

Supported projects may include coordinated treatments, inventories, monitoring, education, outreach, and prevention activities, particularly when these efforts are planned and carried out in a coordinated, multi-jurisdictional way.

11) What does "treatment" mean in the context of this grant?

Treatments can include mechanical, chemical, cultural, or integrated vegetation management approaches designed to control or remove invasive and noxious plants.

12) What does "inventory" mean in the context of this grant?

Inventories generally refer to surveying and mapping infestations to determine where invasive species are present and to better understand spread patterns.

13) What does "monitoring" mean in the context of this grant?

Monitoring is used to measure whether treatments are effective over time and to determine whether follow-up work is needed.

14) Are education and outreach activities allowed or encouraged?

Yes. Projects can include education and outreach such as training field crews and partners, informing land managers or the public about identification and best practices, and promoting behaviors that reduce spread (for example, equipment cleaning, using weed-free materials, or early reporting).

15) What kinds of prevention activities fit the goals of this program?

Prevention activities emphasize stopping new introductions and limiting spread corridors so management is not perpetually reactive.

16) Why is collaboration across boundaries emphasized?

Invasive plant infestations often span ownership boundaries and landscape units. Control tends to be more durable when multiple jurisdictions align priorities, synchronize treatment schedules, share data, pool resources, and collectively plan follow-up so that untreated adjacent lands do not become sources of re-infestation.

17) What kinds of partnerships does BLM appear to be looking for?

BLM is looking for collaborative, multi-jurisdictional coordination across federal, state, tribal, local, and private or nonprofit partners, especially where coordination creates efficiencies and improves results.

18) Who is eligible to apply for this grant?

Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; and nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding universities for those nonprofit categories).

19) Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations are included in the eligibility list.

20) Are nonprofit organizations eligible?

Yes. Both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are listed as eligible (with the note that universities are excluded for those nonprofit categories).

21) Are universities and colleges eligible?

Institutions of higher education are listed as eligible, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education.

22) What is the maximum award amount for this opportunity?

The award ceiling is $200,000.

23) How many awards are expected?

An estimated five awards are expected.

24) When was this funding opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on February 26, 2020.

25) What was the original application closing date?

The original closing date for applications was April 27, 2020.

26) What outcomes is this grant ultimately trying to achieve?

The grant is aimed at practical, coordinated actions that reduce invasive plant impacts, improve management effectiveness, and prevent future spread by integrating treatment, detection, monitoring, and outreach across multiple land management jurisdictions in New Mexico.