Opportunity Information: Apply for L15AS00121
Apply for L15AS00121
- The Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BLM CA CESU Restoration of Ecological Function Desert Soil Vegetation" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.231 Fish, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Resource Management.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 20, 2015 and posted on May 20, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 20, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The grant opportunity titled "BLM CA CESU Restoration of Ecological Function Desert Soil Vegetation" (Funding Opportunity Number L15AS00121) is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) discretionary funding announcement focused on restoring desert ecosystems that have been disturbed by renewable energy development on public lands. The work is framed as both an immediate restoration need and a longer-term research and development effort aimed at improving how land managers rehabilitate Mojave and Sonoran Desert sites after construction and other ground-disturbing activities. It is offered as a cooperative agreement under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) program, meaning projects are expected to involve collaboration with BLM rather than operating as a simple pass-through grant.
A central purpose of the opportunity is to support restoration of both short-term and long-term ground disturbance associated with renewable energy projects built on BLM-managed public lands. In particular, the announcement emphasizes areas adjacent to facilities that were disturbed mainly during the construction phase and should be restored once construction is complete. These disturbed areas are described as valuable "laboratories" where restoration techniques can be developed, tested, and refined. The goal is not only to revegetate a site but to rebuild ecological function, recover biological composition (the kinds and mix of native plants and associated biota), and improve the visual character of the landscape so that disturbed desert lands more closely resemble functioning natural systems over time.
The opportunity also highlights an adaptive management and climate resilience angle. By investing in restoration science and applied field testing now, BLM and other land managers can build institutional knowledge and practical capacity to restore deserts under changing climate conditions. The announcement explicitly connects this to the long-term possibility that public land use for renewable energy could change, creating a need to "reengineer" or transition industrial energy landscapes toward self-sustaining natural systems in the future. In other words, the funding is meant to produce restoration approaches that work in harsh desert environments and remain useful as environmental conditions and land use priorities evolve.
Eligibility is tied to CESU membership. Applicants must be universities or non-governmental research organizations that are members of one of the CESU networks referenced in the announcement (Californian, Desert Southwest, and Great Basin). The award would incorporate the terms and conditions of a CESU Cooperative and Joint Venture Agreement, specifically referencing the Californian master agreement L13AC00082, to which BLM is a party. The CESU network overhead rate is set at 17.5 percent, which is a standard element of CESU awards and affects budgeting and indirect cost treatment.
In terms of funding details, BLM anticipated up to three awards with an estimated total funding amount of $500,000. The announcement lists an award ceiling of $500,000 and an award floor of $500, indicating flexibility in how funding could be distributed among selected projects. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which lowers the barrier for eligible research institutions that may not have non-federal matching funds available. The funding activity category is Natural Resources, and the CFDA program reference provided is 15.231, Fish, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Resource Management.
Key dates included a posted date of May 20, 2015 and a closing date of July 20, 2015, with the opportunity later archived on December 31, 2019. Additional details and the full announcement were available through Grants.gov at the link provided in the listing. For administrative or access issues, the point of contact listed was Leona B. Parker, Grants Management Officer, reachable by phone at 530-252-5338 or by email at lparker@blm.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title and funding opportunity number for this grant?
The opportunity is titled "BLM CA CESU Restoration of Ecological Function Desert Soil Vegetation" and the Funding Opportunity Number is L15AS00121.
Which agency is offering this funding opportunity?
This is a discretionary funding announcement from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
What is the main goal of the opportunity?
The main goal is to restore desert ecosystems disturbed by renewable energy development on BLM-managed public lands, with an emphasis on rebuilding ecological function rather than only replanting vegetation.
What types of lands and ecosystems are the focus of the work?
The work focuses on public lands managed by BLM in desert environments, particularly the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts.
What kinds of disturbances does the funding target?
The announcement targets both short-term and long-term ground disturbance associated with renewable energy projects, especially areas disturbed during construction that are expected to be restored once construction is complete.
Why are areas near renewable energy facilities emphasized?
The announcement describes these disturbed areas as valuable "laboratories" where restoration techniques can be developed, tested, and refined under real-world desert conditions.
Is the objective limited to revegetation?
No. The objective includes revegetation, rebuilding ecological function, recovering biological composition (native plant types and mix and associated biota), and improving the visual character of the landscape so disturbed areas more closely resemble functioning natural systems over time.
How does the opportunity relate to research and development?
The work is framed as both an immediate restoration need and a longer-term research and development effort to improve how land managers rehabilitate Mojave and Sonoran Desert sites after construction and other ground-disturbing activities.
Does the announcement include an adaptive management or climate resilience component?
Yes. The opportunity highlights adaptive management and climate resilience, aiming to build institutional knowledge and practical capacity to restore desert sites under changing climate conditions.
Does the funding connect to longer-term changes in renewable energy land use?
Yes. The announcement notes that future public land use for renewable energy could change and that restoration science developed now could help "reengineer" or transition industrial energy landscapes toward self-sustaining natural systems in the future.
What type of award instrument is used?
The opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) program.
What does it mean that this is a CESU cooperative agreement?
Based on the announcement, projects are expected to involve collaboration with BLM rather than operating as a simple pass-through grant.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to universities or non-governmental research organizations that are members of one of the CESU networks referenced in the announcement: Californian, Desert Southwest, and Great Basin.
Do applicants need to be part of a specific agreement?
The award would incorporate terms and conditions of a CESU Cooperative and Joint Venture Agreement and specifically references the Californian master agreement L13AC00082, to which BLM is a party.
Is there a standard CESU indirect cost (overhead) rate?
Yes. The CESU network overhead rate is identified as 17.5 percent, which affects budgeting and indirect cost treatment under this type of award.
How much funding is available?
BLM anticipated up to three awards with an estimated total funding amount of $500,000.
What are the minimum and maximum award amounts?
The listed award ceiling is $500,000 and the award floor is $500, indicating flexibility in how funding may be distributed among selected projects.
How many awards does BLM expect to make?
The announcement anticipated up to three awards.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The announcement states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
What is the funding activity category and program reference?
The funding activity category is Natural Resources. The CFDA program reference listed is 15.231, Fish, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Resource Management.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The posted date was May 20, 2015 and the closing date was July 20, 2015.
Is the opportunity still open?
No. The listing notes the opportunity was archived on December 31, 2019.
Where could applicants find the full announcement and apply?
The full announcement and additional details were available through Grants.gov at the link provided in the listing.
Who is the point of contact for administrative or access issues?
The point of contact listed is Leona B. Parker, Grants Management Officer.
What contact information is provided for the point of contact?
Phone: 530-252-5338. Email: lparker@blm.gov.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (L15AS00121) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| NPS NOIP15AC00741 A Vegetation Map for Guadalupe Mountains National Park Final Products Support Apply for NPS NOIP15AC00741 Funding Number: NPS NOIP15AC00741 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $30,311 |
| National Park Service NOIP15AC00747 Detection and avoidance of whales by cruise ships in Glacier Bay National Park Apply for NPS NOIP15AC00747 Funding Number: NPS NOIP15AC00747 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $119,000 |
| National Park Service NOIP15AC00744 Implementation of a Bat Monitoring Plan for Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area Apply for NPS NOIP15AC00744 Funding Number: NPS NOIP15AC00744 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $36,100 |
| Wild Rice Restoration Apply for F15AS00234 Funding Number: F15AS00234 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $14,080 |
| BLM CA CESU Characterization of Impacts to Desert Pollinators from Utility Scale Renewable Energy Installations Apply for L15AS00126 Funding Number: L15AS00126 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| BLM AK Alaska Air Resources Program Support Apply for L15AS00129 Funding Number: L15AS00129 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $450,000 |
| Monitoring Program for the Trace Elements in Mussels Apply for N62473 15 2 0014 Funding Number: N62473 15 2 0014 Agency: NAVAL FACILITIES ENGINEERING COMMAND Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $16,533 |
| BLM (Arizona), CCS BLM AZ CPCESU Pakoon Springs Rehabilitation Project Riparian Monitoring (AZ Strip) Apply for L15AS00125 Funding Number: L15AS00125 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Wood River Valley Trails and Outreach and Coordination Apply for L15AS00127 Funding Number: L15AS00127 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $9,373 |
| Assess Health and Function of Wetlands on the Lower Prairie Creek Floodplain Apply for P15AS00145 Funding Number: P15AS00145 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| CESU Identifying Mattonis Blue Butterfly Distribution in Elko County. Apply for L15AS00131 Funding Number: L15AS00131 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $90,000 |
| NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD Biological/Fisheries Internships Apply for P15AS00147 Funding Number: P15AS00147 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mason Valley and Smith Valley Cooperative Weed Management Apply for L15AS00133 Funding Number: L15AS00133 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $90,000 |
| Extension of the ISC GEM Global Instrumental Earthquake Catalogue Apply for G15AC00202 Funding Number: G15AC00202 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $208,859 |
| BLM AK CESU Reindeer Range Management on the Seward Peninsula Apply for L15AS00130 Funding Number: L15AS00130 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Southern Nevada District Cooperative Weed Assessment and Management Apply for L15AS00132 Funding Number: L15AS00132 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Fox River NRDA Apply for F15AS00240 Funding Number: F15AS00240 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $540,000 |
| Restoration Projects for Webb City Lands Apply for F15AS00242 Funding Number: F15AS00242 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| CESU Perry Canyon Creek Acid Mine Drainage Remediation Apply for L15AS00134 Funding Number: L15AS00134 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $700,000 |
| Hidden Cave Interpretive Tours, Churchill County Apply for L15AS00135 Funding Number: L15AS00135 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
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