In addition to an Invasive Plant Grant Program, DFFM has $15 million dedicated to nonnative vegetation invasive species eradication projects along a portion of the Lower Gila River. This new fund applies to the Gila River between the western boundary of Avondale and the bridge at State Route 85 in Buckeye. Additionally, projects downstream of the State Route 85 bridge to Gillespie Dam are eligible. The purpose of the fund is to plan and implement projects that replace nonnative invasive species with native vegetation species and restore habitat to wildlife.

For more information, contact Willie Sommers, DFFM Invasive Plant Program Coordinator at wsommers@dffm.az.gov

With this funding assistance from DFFM, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is implementing an invasives-removal project on 44 acres of AZGFD Commission-owned and managed lands within the Robbins Butte Wildlife Area. The project is within the focus area of the Lower Gila River Collaborative and within the Rio Reimagined corridor.

The goals of the project are to:

• Remove up to 44. acres of invasive salt cedar within the Gila River riparian corridor.
• Establish a viable, self-sustaining native plant community that provides high quality habitat to native species.
• Mitigate fire risk on a high-risk parcel and thereby reduce the risk of fire within the Gila River corridor as a whole.
• Integrate effective invasive plant management into a habitat enhancement project and facilitate the ongoing management (under the Department’s operations and management plan for Robbins Butte Wildlife Area) of the enhanced lands.
• Work with partner organizations to complete a project that complements and is adjacent to other invasive removal/native revegetation projects.

The Graphic Artist Internship is a great opportunity to learn more about how graphic design and visual art can support wildlife conservation, education and engagement through self-guided and exploration-based learning. The intern will assist in the design of interpretive center signage, interactive, media-based displays, touchscreen kiosks, and support the design of revitalized outdoor nature-trail signage and a new pollinator garden. Additionally, the intern may have the opportunity to help design materials, teaching aids and media for our environmental education programs, and will support other public events at the center. Throughout the internship, the intern will learn about didactic visitor engagement and interpretation from our Center Director.

The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) in partnership with its member cities, towns, counties and Native nations, is conducting a survey to engage residents and stakeholders to identify community values and priorities related to building resiliency, including reducing emissions that contribute to local air quality concerns. This work is part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program for which MAG is the lead planning agency for Maricopa and Pinal counties. The survey is one of the public engagement tools being used to help inform the development of the region’s Priority Climate Action Plan.

Cultural and historical use and value of trees; historic tree preservation; or maintaining connections to historically important trees that are no longer standing.

Award Amount: $15,000 – $50,000
CCG Solicitation Guidelines

Improving Urban Forest Conditions in Disadvantaged Communities for Climate Resilience and Heat Mitigation. Project timelines for this grant should be four (4) years.
The projects must be in service to supporting disadvantaged communities as defined by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tools (CJEST)

Award Amount: $250,000 – $1,000,000
IRA Solicitation Guidelines

The TREE Grant Program provides assistance to currently recognized Tree City USA communities and Tree Campus USA campuses with the management, improvement, or conservation of community trees. This is a smaller, short-term grant program.

Award Amount: $1,500 – $5,000
TREE Solicitation Guidelines

The Environmental and Climate Justice Program (ECJ Program), created by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) under Clean Air Act (CAA) Section 138, provides funding for financial and technical assistance to carry out environmental and climate justice activities to benefit underserved and overburdened communities. Congress has appropriated $2.8 billion for financial assistance, and $200 million for technical assistance, to implement this new program at the EPA. EPA must award grants and technical assistance under the ECJ Program by September 30, 2026.

This funding opportunity supports the implementation of drought mitigation projects that build long-term resilience to drought.  Through this funding opportunity, Reclamation provides financial assistance for projects that, when implemented, will increase water supply reliability and improve water management.

The DRP funding opportunity offers four task areas (Tasks A-D) for project implementation to improve water supply reliability. Task A projects include infrastructure improvements, Task B includes groundwater recovery projects, Task C projects are decision support tools to improve water management, and Task D includes domestic water supply projects for Tribes or disadvantaged communities that do not currently have reliable water supplies.

For Tasks A-C, Reclamation can provide up to 50% of project costs, not to exceed $5 million in federal funds. For Task D projects, Reclamation can provide up to $10 million in Federal funds.  Task D requires a 5% non-federal cost-share; however, applicants can request a cost-share waiver.  Please see the funding opportunity for more information regarding cost-share.

This funding opportunity provides funding for collaborative, grassroots watershed groups to complete group development activities, watershed restoration planning, and watershed management project design.  Reclamation can provide up to $300,000 in Federal funds to an applicant over a three-year period, with no more than $100,000 to be available per year. No federal cost-share is required.

There are two application submission periods under this funding opportunity. Applications for the first submission period are due by December 5, 2023, and applications for the second submission period are due by April 2, 2024.

Reclamation will host a webinar(s) to discuss eligible applicants, project types, and the evaluation criteria for the funding opportunities above.

The APS Community Tree Program – ongoing grant for community-based tree planting projects in high need areas within the APS service territory.The APS Community Tree Program will work to ensure people and neighborhoods in need across Arizona receive the many benefits trees provide. The program will reduce heat island effect by expanding the tree canopy cover in vulnerable communities within the APS service territory and support the APS Clean Energy Commitment. APS will offer grant funding to qualified organizations for community-based tree planting projects in high need areas within the APS service territory.

Through an open and competitive cycle, APS will accept only one proposal from a qualified organization per year. Proposals may be submitted for a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $10,000, and APS funding may only be used to purchase trees, tree stakes and ties. Funding priority will be given to projects in vulnerable communities that have low tree equity and high tree prioritization map scores.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Pioneering Ideas programs has a call for proposals that address health equity in one of four areas: Future of Evidence; Future of Social Interaction; Future of Food; and Future of Work. Pioneering Ideas also welcomes ideas outside of these focus areas that offer unique approaches to advancing health equity. Scientists, anthropologists, artists, urban planners and community leaders are encouraged to apply.

On Friday, May 12, 2023, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs announced that she signed an $17.8 billion budget for the 2024 fiscal year that features heavy investments in education, transportation, and tax rebates. The budget also includes $6 million for the State Parks Heritage Fund and $500,000 for the Arizona Trail. Check out the grant opportunities below.

Economic Development Administration solicits applications from rural and urban areas to provide investments that support construction, non-construction, technical assistance and revolving loan fund projects under EDA’s Public Works and EAA programs. Grants and cooperative agreements are designed to leverage existing regional assets and support the implementation of economic development strategies that advance new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities. The award range is between $100,000 – $30,000,000 with required match based on per capita income and unemployment rate.

Keep America Beautiful’s Community Restoration and Resiliency Fund benefits Keep America Beautiful Affiliates that serve communities directly affected by natural and environmental disasters. The fund provides immediate and long-term support for initial and ongoing cleanup efforts and helps rebuild vital public spaces: parks, greenways, community gateways, main street/downtown areas, open spaces and more.