NM Plant Conservation and Restoration Management | L19AS00071

Opportunity Information: Apply for L19AS00071

The "NM Plant Conservation and Restoration Management" opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number L19AS00071) is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) New Mexico cooperative agreement program designed to fund partner-led work that strengthens native plant conservation, habitat restoration, and long-term vegetation management on public lands. The core purpose is to advance the goals of the BLM Plant Conservation and Restoration Program by combining on-the-ground implementation with applied science, plant materials development, and public engagement. Projects supported under this opportunity are meant to improve ecological function, increase restoration success, and reduce threats to high-priority wildlife and sensitive species by rebuilding resilient native plant communities.

A major emphasis is habitat management and restoration in priority landscapes, particularly where vegetation work can measurably benefit keystone wildlife and game species and reduce pressures on species of concern. The announcement specifically highlights projects that help address threats to sage-grouse, mule deer, and other sensitive species by increasing practical, field-based restoration actions in important habitats. In practice, this can include restoring degraded plant communities, improving rangeland condition, stabilizing disturbed areas, and implementing treatments that support habitat structure and forage resources needed for wildlife persistence.

Another key focus is the development and deployment of genetically appropriate native plant materials for restoration and reclamation. The opportunity encourages collaboration with growers and plant material producers to expand the availability of native seed and other plant materials that match local or regional genetic conditions. This reflects an underlying program goal: improving restoration outcomes by using seed sources that are ecologically suited to New Mexico environments, which can increase establishment success and help maintain local adaptation.

The funding also supports research and technical studies aimed at improving restoration effectiveness. The scope is broad and includes plant ecology and ecophysiology, seed bank persistence, propagation methods, agronomic production practices, and evaluation of traits and seed sources. It also calls out seeding treatments and tool development, indicating interest in practical innovations that make restoration work more reliable and scalable. These efforts may be carried out through partnerships, State Office coordination, and eco-regional Plant Conservation and Restoration programs, tying site-level work to larger program strategies.

Pollinator-related projects are explicitly included as well. BLM is seeking studies and applied efforts that expand understanding of how native plant communities support pollinators and how pollinator-plant relationships contribute to restoration durability and overall ecological function. This can translate into work that improves flowering plant diversity, builds habitat connectivity, and strengthens the ecological processes that make restored sites more stable over time.

Rare plant conservation is another central pillar. The opportunity references the scale of BLM stewardship responsibilities, noting that BLM lands support more than 1,700 rare plant species, with more than 400 found exclusively on BLM-managed lands. Funding can support monitoring, protection, research to increase understanding, and habitat restoration actions that sustain these rare plant populations. The rationale is that rare plants are not only conservation priorities on their own, but also important components of wildlife habitat, contributing forage resources and habitat structure that support broader ecosystem health.

Partnership implementation is woven throughout the announcement, including support for priority species conservation actions. The BLM is looking for projects that align with priority species needs and can be delivered through coordination with states, tribes, other federal agencies, and nongovernmental organizations. In addition, the opportunity is intended to complement other BLM programs, including Fuels and Emergency Stabilization and Restoration, by helping restore public lands after disturbance and increasing the routine use of native plant materials in rehabilitation and reclamation efforts.

Finally, the grant places value on education and outreach, including products like information bulletins, handbooks, webinars, and apps. The goal is not only to share technical knowledge but also to strengthen connections between the public, citizen science efforts, and BLM partners. This outreach component signals interest in projects that build broader capacity for plant conservation and restoration by improving access to information, increasing participation, and promoting consistent best practices.

Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity offered by the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, using a cooperative agreement instrument under the Natural Resources funding activity category (CFDA 15.245). Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; and nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status. The award ceiling listed is $500,000, with an expectation of approximately five awards. The opportunity was open in 2019 with two submission rounds, with applications due by June 30, 2019 for Round One and July 31, 2019 for Round Two, both at 4:30 PM Eastern.

• The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NM Plant Conservation and Restoration Management" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.245.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 28, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 31, 2019 Open from April 1, 2019 - July 31, 2019, 430 PM EST Round One - Applications Due June 30, 2019, 430 PM EST Round Two - 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 $500,000.00 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.

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