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Multistate Conservation Grant Program Coordination

Strategic Priority

AFWA Priorities Identified in AFWA Funding Principles (submitted by ExCom) - Management of the MSCGP Program

Project Documents

No project documents available.

Project Description

The Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act and the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act authorize the Secretary of the Interior to make up to $6,000,000 available annually under the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR) to fund multistate conservation project grants. In addition to the traditionally $6,000,000 available funding ($3,000,000 for Wildlife Restoration and $3,000,000 for Sportfish Restoration), the President signed the Modernizing PR Act into law on December 20, 2019. The M-MSCGP will make up to an additional $5,000,000 available specifically for hunter and recreational shooter recruitment related grants, including related communication and outreach activities.

Project Facts

  • Organization Name: Association of Fish And Wildlife Agencies
  • Organization Status: NGO classified as 501(c)(6)
  • State: Washington, DC
  • Obligation: $113,125
  • Start Date: 01-01-2021
  • End Date: 12-31-2021

Results

  • Planned Accomplishments:
    • 1st Quarter (January - March)
      • Process new 2021 AFWA grants and information.
      • Continue working with AFWA project managers and monitoring AFWA grants.
      • Work with the AFWA Committees and the National Grants Committee to review and update the Strategic Priorities for the 2022 MSCGP cycle in advance of the 2021 North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference (where the State Directors approve the Strategic Priorities during the AFWA business meeting).
      • Work with AFWA Committees' Chairs to recruit members for the Technical Review Teams for MSCGP applications reviews
      • Update MSCGP the Initial Proposals solicitation materials.
      • During the North American Conference, support the National Grants Committee, which convenes to discuss the new MSCGP process and make recommendations for the final Strategic Priorities for the State Directors' approval. 
      • During the North American Conference, provide staff support for the Fish and Wildlife Trust Funds Committee.
      • Participate in webinars and various meetings/conferences to disseminate information about the MSCGP
    • 2nd Quarter (April – June)
      • Continue working with AFWA project managers and monitoring AFWA grants.
      • Manage the Initial Proposals process and provide information and assistance to applicants.
      • Coordinate Initial Proposal review by the Technical Review Teams
      • Notify Initial Proposals applicants of the status of their application and provide share reviewer's comments.
      • Provide information on submitting a full proposal to successful applicants.
      • Work with Fish and Wildlife Service on providing webinar/training to successful applicants on TRACS and GrantSolutions
    • 3rd Quarter (July - September)
      • Continue working with AFWA project managers and monitoring AFWA grants.
      • Manage the MSCGP full proposal submission process and answer questions from applicants.
      • Manage the proposal review process with the Technical review Team and National Grants Committee.
      • Analyze the review results to share with the Technical Review Teams before Technical Review Teams meetings and discussions.
      • Share the Technical Review Teams' final recommendations and draft Priority List (including a summary of each grant) with the National Grant Committee National Grants Committee before AFWA's Annual Meeting in September.
      • Prepare for AFWA's Annual Meeting in September and the selection of proposals by the National Grants Committee.
      • During the Annual Meeting, support the National Grants Committee, which convenes to review and approve a list of recommended projects for the State Directors' approval.
      • Ensure State Directors approve the list of priority projects at the Association's Business Meeting.
      • Support final grantees with TRACS and GrantSolutions to ensure all information is available for USFWS.
      • Provide staff support for the Fish & Wildlife Trust Funds Committee meeting.
      • Notify all applicants of the status of their application. 
      • Submit a priority list of projects to USFWS by the October 1 deadline.
    • 4th Quarter (October - December)
      • Continue working with AFWA project managers and monitoring grants.
      • Submit grant amendments and extension paperwork as necessary.
      • Conduct a Review Survey with the Technical Review Teams Members
      • Confirm members of NGC for the next cycle.
  • Actual Accomplishments:
    • All activities listed above during the four quarters were completed on time and without difficulties. This was the second year that AFWA implemented the new MSCG Process based on the President's Task Force Recommendations.
    • AFWA worked with R3 Implementation Work Group on reviewing and updating 2022 R3 Strategic Priorities for Modern MSCGP.
    • AFWA worked with Technical Review Teams and National Grants Committee on updating the Strategic Priorities for Traditional MSCGP.
    • In collaboration with AFWA Committees, recruiting new volunteers for the Technical Review Team (about 70 subject matter experts) for R3 and Traditional Multistate Conservation Grant Program grants. The teams met for an informational webinar to discuss the scoring and review the proposals.
    • AFWA and WSFR jointly hosted an R3-MSCGP webinar on February 24. The webinar aimed to increase awareness by Non-Traditional Audiences of Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation grant opportunities. There were over 70 participants in the webinar.
    • The webinar was followed up with a few training sessions on Full Grant Proposals in June and July, which 50 participants attended.
    • Another in-depth training was provided for the 2022 grantees on TRACS in November 2021.
    • 2022 Strategic Priorities were presented at the North American Conference, and the State Directors at the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference approved them during the business meeting.
    • Prospective applicants were invited (utilizing AFWA's Communication channels, including MSCGP WebSite, Press Release, Social Media, e-mails to AFWA Committee Members and Regional Associations) to submit Initial Proposals for the 2022 MSCGP.
    • State fish and wildlife agencies, NGOs, and Universities submitted 121 Initial proposals for 2022 MSCGP.  
    • Five Technical Review Teams (about 70 subject matter experts) were established to review 2022 R3 and Traditional MSCGP grants. The teams met for an initial introduction, each meeting separately to review. All reviewers signed the Conflict of Interest form.  
    • 54 applicants were invited to submit full 2022 R3 and Traditional MSCGP grant proposals.
    • At the AFWA Annual meeting, the State Directors approved thirty-eight Grant Proposals during the business meeting.
    • Coordinated and facilitated National Grants Committee meetings for the North American Conference and AFWA Annual Meeting. Coordinated and facilitated two NGC conference calls during 2022 cycle.
    • Coordinated with WSFR on MSCGP annual coordination meeting and maintained continuous communication with WSFR MSCGP Coordinator.
    • Prepared the monthly materials related to MSCGP for the Directors' Line
    • Coordinated and facilitated Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund Committee
  • Goal/Objective:  Training & Professional Development of MSCGP Coordinator
    • Planned Accomplishments:
      • Complete appropriate professional development course.
    • Actual Accomplishments:
    • GrantSolutions Training
    • TRACS training
    • Professional Development Conferences:
      • 2021 North American Conference
      • 2021 WAFWA Conference (virtual)
      • 2021 AFWA Annual Meeting (virtual)
      • 2021 SEAFWA Annual Meeting (virtual)
      • R3 Symposium

This Site is supported by Multistate Conservation Grant program, a program funded from the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, and jointly managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies