BLM CA North Coast Coast Range California Botanical Projects | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is the BLM CA North Coast Coast Range California Botanical Projects opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number L16AS00031). It is a discretionary grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (DOI-BLM) offered as a cooperative agreement.

Which agency is offering the award?

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

What type of award is it?

The opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement, which generally means BLM expects to be substantially involved during the project period through ongoing coordination on items like priorities, methods, target species or habitats, data standards, reporting, and alignment with BLM management needs.

Is this a competitive or discretionary opportunity?

It is described as a discretionary DOI-BLM grant opportunity.

What is the main purpose of the project?

The core purpose is to partner with a recipient to establish and carry out a Seeds of Success-style program focused on native plant seed collection for long-term conservation and for use in future habitat restoration, while also building data and field knowledge to manage native plant resources more effectively.

What is meant by a "Seeds of Success-style program" in this context?

Based on the description provided, it generally centers on collecting native plant seeds for long-term conservation and for future habitat restoration use, alongside building the supporting data and field knowledge needed for effective native plant resource management.

What kinds of activities and deliverables does the funded work emphasize?

The funded work is described as collaborative and field-driven, with emphasis on monitoring rare plant species and conducting inventories of plant populations. Typical deliverables implied by the description include planning and conducting seasonal surveys, mapping and documenting known and newly discovered occurrences, tracking population trends over time, and improving the quality of occurrence records for management decision-making.

What does "field-driven" work likely involve for this opportunity?

The description suggests activities such as conducting surveys during key seasonal windows, mapping and documenting occurrences, monitoring population trends over time, and improving occurrence records so land managers can make better decisions.

Where will the funded work take place?

The opportunity focuses on Northern California, specifically within the BLM North Coast and Coast Range area.

What subject area or program area does this opportunity fall under?

The activity category is Natural Resources, and the work centers on botanical conservation and applied plant science in the BLM North Coast and Coast Range area.

What is the CFDA (program) number for this opportunity?

The CFDA program number listed is 15.231.

How many awards were expected?

The opportunity anticipated a single award (Expected Awards: 1).

What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling was up to $700,000.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on February 3, 2016.

What was the application closing date?

The application closing date was April 4, 2016.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity). Applicants are still expected to review any additional eligibility notes in the full announcement.

Does "unrestricted eligibility" mean anyone can apply without conditions?

The summary states eligibility is unrestricted and open to any type of entity, but it also notes that applicants should review additional eligibility notes in the full announcement, which may add requirements or clarifications.

What role does BLM play during a cooperative agreement?

The description indicates BLM is likely to remain substantially involved, often meaning ongoing coordination on priorities, methods, target species or habitats, data standards, reporting, and ensuring the work aligns with BLM management needs.

What kinds of botanical work are specifically highlighted?

The opportunity highlights botanical conservation and applied plant science work, including establishing seed collection capacity (Seeds of Success-style), rare plant monitoring, and plant population inventory work.

Does the opportunity allow for additional research tasks beyond seed collection and monitoring?

Yes. The description leaves room for additional plant-related research tasks that fit BLM priorities in the region.

How is the work expected to support BLM land management decisions?

By improving the quality of occurrence records, documenting and mapping known and new plant occurrences, and tracking population trends, the project is intended to provide better information for land managers to make decisions about native plant resources.

Is the project focused only on seed banking, or also on field monitoring?

It is both. The description combines native seed collection for long-term conservation and future restoration with rare plant monitoring and population inventory work.

What is the focus region within California?

The focus is Northern California within the BLM North Coast and Coast Range area.

What unique aspect of the award structure should applicants be aware of?

Because it is a cooperative agreement, BLM substantial involvement is expected, which typically requires close coordination with BLM throughout the project on technical approach, priorities, data standards, and reporting.