Monarch Butterfly Conservation Fund Region 5 States | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Monarch Butterfly Conservation Fund - Region 5 States grant opportunity (F15AS00219)?

It was a discretionary U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) grant program in the Service's Northeast Region (Region 5) intended to help reverse the long-term decline of monarch butterflies by funding habitat conservation work. The program emphasized practical, on-the-ground habitat outcomes that rebuild and connect monarch habitat to support viable, sustainable population levels.

Which U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service region did this funding opportunity support?

This competition was specific to the USFWS Northeast Region (Region 5), and it focused on projects within that region's states.

Why was this program created?

The fund was created in response to major monarch habitat losses since the mid-1990s (estimated at roughly 165 million acres) and substantial population declines (in some areas estimated around 50 percent). The goal was to support habitat conservation actions that could help monarch populations recover.

What conservation outcomes was the program trying to achieve?

The core purpose was to fund projects that rebuild and connect monarch habitat so the species can move toward viable, sustainable population levels across its range. It also aimed to contribute to a broader federal commitment to add 10 million acres of monarch butterfly habitat across the continental United States.

What types of projects were emphasized in this Region 5 competition?

The Region 5-focused competition emphasized practical, on-the-ground habitat work on state-owned lands with strong potential to support monarchs, particularly where habitat continuity supports successful migration.

Why did the opportunity emphasize the coastal migration corridor?

The announcement highlighted the coastal migration corridor because monarchs depend on a chain of suitable breeding, resting, and foraging habitat during seasonal movement. Breaks in habitat continuity can reduce survival and reproduction, so connected habitat in key migration areas was considered critical.

Did the program prioritize certain locations for projects?

Yes. Priority was given to projects near urban areas and near National Wildlife Refuge System lands. This was intended to strengthen landscape-scale connectivity and increase public visibility and education opportunities tied to habitat improvements.

What habitat elements were identified as a central priority?

A central priority was increasing the availability of regionally appropriate native plants, especially milkweed species needed for monarch reproduction and nectar plants needed for adult feeding.

Why is milkweed specifically important in monarch conservation?

Milkweed is essential because monarch caterpillars depend on it as their host plant. Without milkweed, monarch reproduction is limited regardless of other habitat features.

Why did the announcement stress regionally specific native milkweed and nectar plants?

The opportunity expressed interest in regionally specific native milkweed and nectar forage plants, reflecting an approach that favors local ecotypes and plant communities suited to the Northeast rather than generic or one-size-fits-all seed mixes.

Who was eligible to apply for this funding opportunity?

Eligible applicants were limited to state governments, specifically state fish and wildlife agencies within the Northeast Region (Region 5). The competition was structured as state-level conservation support rather than an open solicitation for nonprofits, universities, or private entities.

Could nonprofits, universities, or private organizations apply directly?

No. Based on the eligibility stated, applications were limited to state fish and wildlife agencies in Region 5, so other entities were not eligible to apply directly under this opportunity.

What type of funding instrument was used?

The funding instrument was a grant, categorized under natural resources.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The announcement indicated there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement.

How much funding was available under this competition?

The estimated total funding amount was $97,000.

How many awards were anticipated?

The program anticipated making around 10 awards.

What was the expected award size for individual grants?

Individual awards were expected to range from $10,000 (award floor) to $21,500 (award ceiling).

What CFDA listing was associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA listing associated with the opportunity was 15.649 (Service Training and Technical Assistance, Generic Training), even though the described project emphasis in the announcement focused on monarch habitat conservation and implementation.

What plans or partner efforts were projects expected to align with?

The announcement referenced work consistent with the North American Monarch Conservation Plan and complementary efforts by partners such as NRCS and the Monarch Joint Venture.

When was the funding opportunity posted, and what were the closing and archive dates?

The opportunity was posted and created on May 12, 2015. The original and current closing date was August 1, 2015. The archive date was August 30, 2015.

Is this funding opportunity still open?

No. Based on the closing date (August 1, 2015) and archive date (August 30, 2015), it is an older, closed funding opportunity rather than an active call.

Where could applicants find the full announcement or additional information?

The general additional information link pointed to Grants.gov for access to the full announcement details.

Who was the listed grants fiscal contact for this opportunity?

The listed grants fiscal contact was Judy Driscoll. The announcement provided phone number 413-253-8409 and email judydriscoll@fws.gov.