F25AS00379 Highlands Conservation Act - Base Funding Round

The Highlands Conservation Act Program is administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service to assist Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania in protecting land and natural resources in the Highlands Region. The program supports land conservation projects where a State, County, or Municipal entity acquires land or an interest in land from a willing seller to conserve resources of high conservation value. Eligible applicants may submit requests for the Base Funding Round in response to this Notice of Funding Opportunity. The program aims to conserve land that implements State and local goals to increase outdoor recreation opportunities, secure agricultural and forest resources, protect drinking water supplies, and conserve wildlife habitat. Key aspects of the program include: • Land acquisition projects that meet eligibility criteria and are within the Highlands Region • 1:1 cost share requirement • Eligible costs include acquisition costs, typical land transaction costs, and administrative costs • Project periods will be no longer than 4 years from the date the grantee is notified of an award • Performance will be measured by comparing proposed acres for land conservation and associated benefits to the public with the final results of the project