Montana Education and Weed Awareness | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Montana Education and Weed Awareness (BLM MT NOI09 1076)

What is the "Montana Education and Weed Awareness" opportunity?

It is a discretionary cooperative agreement program offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior (Bureau of Land Management) to support on-the-ground invasive plant work and coordinated education efforts in Montana. The focus is helping implement integrated noxious weed management on public lands.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is BLM MT NOI09 1076.

Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

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

Is this opportunity currently open for applications?

No. Based on the dates provided, it appears to be a historical listing. It was posted July 6, 2009, had a closing date of August 5, 2009, and an archive date of September 1, 2009.

What is the project focus in practical terms?

The project centers on partnership-style work where the recipient coordinates closely with BLM and local partners to prevent, control, and reduce impacts of invasive and noxious plants using an integrated approach rather than relying on a single control method.

What does "integrated noxious weed management" mean in this context?

It typically includes a combination of strategies such as prevention, early detection and rapid response, mechanical treatments, targeted herbicide use where appropriate, biological control, restoration or revegetation, and monitoring to measure results and adjust tactics.

Where is the work expected to take place?

The work is aimed at public lands in Montana, consistent with the emphasis on protecting resources commonly managed on public lands.

What kinds of resources is the program intended to protect?

The description highlights protection of rangelands, wildlife habitat, watersheds, recreation areas, and other resources that can be affected when invasive plants outcompete native vegetation and alter fire regimes, soil stability, and ecological function.

Does the opportunity include education and outreach activities?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes education and outreach, including training or coordinated information-sharing for people and organizations involved in weed management.

Who are the intended audiences or partners for education and outreach?

The description references coordination with federal agencies, state agencies, county programs, and private cooperators such as landowners, grazing permittees, conservation groups, and other local stakeholders involved in weed management.

Is this described as a new project or an ongoing effort?

It is described as ongoing with Montana State University and centered on helping implement integrated noxious weed management on public lands.

What type of funding instrument is used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.

What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement generally indicates substantial involvement by federal staff during the project. Based on the description, that may include planning support, coordination, technical guidance, and/or oversight during execution.

What is the total estimated funding available?

The total estimated funding for the opportunity was $150,000.

How many awards were anticipated?

The anticipated number of awards was about five.

What was the expected award size range?

Individual awards were expected to range from a minimum (floor) of $25,000 up to a maximum (ceiling) of $150,000, depending on project scope and how funds were allocated among selected proposals.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement was listed. That generally means applicants were not required to provide a non-federal cash or in-kind match as a condition of award, though partners may still contribute resources in cooperative weed management efforts.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning it was broadly open to many entity types as allowed by the announcement, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full text.

What CFDA/Assistance Listing is associated with this opportunity?

The assistance listing is associated with CFDA 15.230, titled "Invasive and Noxious Plant Management."

What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The activity category is Natural Resources.

Where could applicants find the full announcement details?

Applicants were directed to the full announcement via Grants.gov.

Who was the point of contact for access issues?

The listed point of contact for access issues was Lori J. Anderson, Grants Management Officer (landerso@blm.gov).

What kinds of project methods are mentioned or implied as eligible activities?

The description points to on-the-ground invasive plant work and implementation support for integrated weed management methods, including prevention, early detection and rapid response, mechanical treatments, targeted herbicide use where appropriate, biological control, restoration or revegetation, monitoring, and coordinated education/outreach.

How does the opportunity describe the overall approach to weed control?

It emphasizes an integrated approach that uses multiple complementary strategies and adjusts tactics based on monitoring and outcomes, rather than relying on a single treatment method.