BLM AK Wildlife Resources Program | L19AS00101

BLM AK Wildlife Resources Program (L19AS00101) - FAQs

1) What is the BLM AK Wildlife Resources Program?

The BLM AK Wildlife Resources Program is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Alaska funding opportunity that supports projects intended to keep wildlife populations on BLM-managed public lands healthy, self-sustaining, and naturally diverse over the long term. The program focuses on conserving, restoring, and maintaining wildlife species and the habitats they rely on across Alaska BLM lands.

2) What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?

The main goal is long-term wildlife stewardship on BLM-administered public lands in Alaska by funding work that conserves, restores, and maintains wildlife habitats and species. The opportunity emphasizes outcomes that help ensure wildlife resources remain available for enjoyment, subsistence, and other lawful uses for current and future generations.

3) What types of species does the program consider?

The program recognizes the need for science-based management across many species groups, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.

4) What kinds of projects are a good fit for this opportunity?

Based on the description, strong-fit projects are those that:

• Conserve, restore, or maintain wildlife habitat on BLM-managed public lands in Alaska.
• Support wildlife population health and natural diversity over time.
• Use science-based decision-making and, where relevant, modern geospatial technology for data collection, management, and sharing.
• Are coordinated with partners and complement other ongoing wildlife or habitat efforts.

5) Does BLM emphasize partnerships and coordination?

Yes. A central theme of the opportunity is partnership-driven conservation. BLM describes a collaborative approach that works closely with State wildlife agencies, Tribes, other Federal agencies, and additional partner organizations. Projects are expected, where possible, to be coordinated and complementary to other ongoing efforts because wildlife and habitat issues often cross jurisdictional boundaries.

6) What role does geospatial technology play in this program?

The opportunity highlights the use of modern geospatial technology to improve how wildlife and habitat data are collected, managed, and shared. The intent is to make conservation work more efficient and better informed, and to improve both internal BLM coordination and external data sharing with partners.

7) Are habitat projects expected to provide broader land management benefits?

Often, yes. The opportunity notes that habitat work can be tied to broader outcomes on public lands. BLM describes leveraging Wildlife Program funds with other BLM programs, especially around vegetation restoration. These restoration actions are framed as benefiting wildlife habitat while also potentially increasing livestock forage, improving water quality, controlling or removing invasive weeds, and reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires.

8) What does it mean that this opportunity is offered through cooperative agreements?

This opportunity is offered as a discretionary funding opportunity through cooperative agreements. That signals a hands-on relationship in which BLM expects substantial involvement during the project period, such as coordination, shared technical input, or joint planning.

9) What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA for this program?

The Funding Opportunity Number is L19AS00101 and the CFDA listing provided is 15.247.

10) What is the funding activity category?

The opportunity falls within the Natural Resources funding activity category.

11) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• State governments
• County governments
• Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education
• Federally recognized Tribal governments
• Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)

12) How many awards were anticipated?

The posting anticipated about three awards.

13) What was the award ceiling?

The award ceiling listed for this opportunity was $110,000.

14) When did the application period open and close?

The application window opened on July 10, 2019 and closed on September 10, 2019 at 5:00 PM Alaska Standard Time (AKST).

15) Were there multiple due dates (rounds) for applications?

Yes. Two due dates were described as rounds:

• Round One: August 10, 2019 at 5:00 PM AKST
• Round Two: September 10, 2019 at 5:00 PM AKST

16) What is the geographic focus of the program?

The focus is on BLM-managed public lands in Alaska, which the opportunity describes as including some of the most ecologically important and varied habitats in the country.

17) What is the program trying to sustain over the long term?

The program aims to sustain both Alaska wildlife populations and the ecosystems (habitats) that support them on BLM-administered public lands, with an emphasis on long-term health, self-sustainability, and natural diversity.

18) How should projects relate to other conservation or management efforts?

The opportunity indicates that projects should be coordinated and complementary to other ongoing efforts when possible, reflecting that wildlife and habitat concerns often cross jurisdictional boundaries and benefit from shared stewardship and joint planning.

19) Is this opportunity competitive?

The description indicates it is a discretionary funding opportunity and references "competitive projects" as likely to be those that address habitat needs while contributing to broader ecosystem resilience and multiple-use outcomes on public lands.

20) What is the overall focus in plain terms?

In practical terms, this opportunity is targeted support for on-the-ground habitat conservation and restoration, collaborative wildlife management, and improved data and coordination capacity, all aimed at sustaining Alaska wildlife and their habitats on BLM-administered public lands.