DUNCANVILLE NATURE CONSERVANCY CONSERVATION GRANT GUIDELINES AND PROPOSAL TEMPLATE
Mission
The Duncanville Nature Conservancy is dedicated to preserving, protecting and promoting the natural beauty and ecological integrity of the Charles F. Ladd Nature Preserve through education, conservation and community engagement.
Our vision is to create a community of informed and engaged stewards who share a deep appreciation for the natural world and are committed to protecting it for generations to come.
Our values are:
Conservation: We believe in the importance of preserving and protecting the natural habitats and species within the preserve.
Education: We believe in the importance of educating visitors and the community about the natural world, and the role that each person plays in protecting it.
Community: We believe in fostering a sense of community and stewardship among visitors and supporters of the preserve.
Accessibility: We believe in providing equal access and opportunities for all to experience the preserve and its natural wonders.
Innovation: We believe in continuously seeking out new and innovative ways to promote conservation, education and community engagement.
Respect: We believe in treating all visitors, volunteers, staff and the environment with respect and care.
Conservation Grant Project Proposal Guidelines
Organization may submit project proposals until May 1, 2024, that fulfill the goals of the Duncanville Nature Conservancy and are within the following guidelines. These proposals will be reviewed and, if approved, will become part of a pre-approved list of projects eligible to receive Conservation Grants.
Proposed activities focused on the Charles F. Ladd Nature Preserve are priority, and alternatively, nature, conservation, awareness and education in Duncanville. All projects must provide meaningful and lasting impact.
Projects should do one or more of the following:
• Benefit native flora and fauna
• Protect or enhance important areas (e.g., land acquisition, habitat restoration, invasive species)
• Improve or enhance access for birders and wildlife watchers while protecting habitat for native, wild, and unrestrained birds and animals (e.g., creating a boardwalk, bird blind, or designated viewing area at a birding site can keep visitors restricted to certain areas allowing restored or native habitat to remain intact in other areas)
• Enhance or interpret the public’s experience in nature to increase conservation awareness (e.g., education, interpretive signage can increase the public’s understanding and knowledge of native wildlife, the dangers of invasive species, etc. allowing them to connect in a more meaningful way and have a better awareness of conservation issues and native species).
ALL PROPOSED PROJECTS MUST:
• Spend awarded funds within 18 months of receipt of funds and provide a short written report with digital photos showing project fulfillment at project completion to the Duncanville Nature Conservancy.
• Specify the area in which the project occurs
• Have a long term or permanent conservation status
• If applicable, have a monitoring component or other related measurement to show conservation success. Examples of monitoring options include but are not limited to the following: Seasonal surveys and list submission as applicable, outreach data collected for increased sustainable visitor access, improved visitor understanding of conservation issues, visitor counts, etc.)
• Incorporate one or more of the following categories: Creation, acquisition or improvement of high priority habitats or areas of importance
· Restoration of high priority habitats
· Enhancement projects for wildlife viewing that allow some level of public access, ie, blinds, site interpretation, tours, etc.
· Education, associated volunteer projects at the preserve and elsewhere within Duncanville, preserve support, nature and conservation efforts in Duncanville and meaningful elsewhere.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
• The following expenses may not be included as part of the project budget funded by this grant: general overhead costs, salary funding, or purchase of capital equipment (up to 50% of grant funds can be used for contract specialty services such as operating heavy machinery, herbicide application, professional landscaping services, etc.).
• Seek matching funds. We are interested in projects that leverage grant dollars to accomplish more for conservation.
• Project work may commence as soon as written notification is received from the Duncanville Nature Conservancy that you may begin work (along with any other necessary approvals).
• All grants will be paid in a single initial project payment, and project managers must provide a written report detailing project completion, success of project goals, and digital photos to Duncanville Nature Conservancy staff within 18 months from date of funding. Associated projects will have the DNC listed as a sponsor or grantor organization.
• Organizations MAY NOT apply for future grant funding through the Duncanville Nature Conservancy until all required post-project documentation is submitted to the Duncanville Nature Conservancy staff. This consideration refers only to projects that have already met the 18-month deadline since their initial payment was received.
Your project proposal may be submitted in each Conservation Grant Amount level listed below, indicating specifically how additional funds would change the scope of the project. In other words, if your project is scalable based on different funding levels, consider submitting the same project at each level to increase your chance of being funded.
Conservation Grant Amounts:
Will be determined by total amount of funding requested and sponsorship/matching donations with the goal of awarding grants in one or more, and up to, the following amounts:
• $1,000
• $500
· $250
· Will there be a match to the funding requested?
Proposals Due by quarters end: March 1, June 1, Sep 1, and Dec 1 by 9:00 a.m. to the Duncanville Nature Conservancy.
Call 817-980-6380 with additional project proposal questions.
Conservation Grant Project Proposal
Basic Project Information
Project Title:
Project Budget Requested (details provided below):
Project Organization:
Mailing Address:
City, State Zip:
Website:
Contact Person for Inquiries on Proposal:
Contact Phone Number:
Contact Email:
Additional Project Partners (if applicable):
Conservation Actions (pick all that apply):
___ Restoration/Creation of new habitat
___ Acquisition
___ Enhancement/Education/Interpretation
Project relates to:
___ Blackland Prairie ___ Riparian
___ Forest ___ Volunteer project - recurring
___ Volunteer project – one time ___ Creek
___ Education and awareness ___ Restoration
___ Invasive species ___Survey/benchmarking/research
General description of project, including objective and how it will be achieved (note: max. 1000 characters):
Priority habitats, important sites, and/or priority species benefited, including acreages/location where applicable (note: max. 500 characters):
Proposed Project Completion Date:
Physical location of project site (GPS coordinates or attached map):
Budget Information*
Total Project Budget (grant + additional funding/donations needed to fulfill project in a simple spreadsheet, including a separate line item for each aspect of the project; add additional lines as needed):
___ $1,000
___ $500
___$250
___ Will there be a match to DNC funding?
* Budget may not include purchase of capital equipment or staff salaries. Up to 50% of grant may be used for specialized contract labor associated with the project.
Additional notes about contributions from funding partners, if applicable (use of existing equipment, tools, staff, etc.):
Please describe any plans you have to seek matching funds from other sources:
Expected Results and Benefit:
Provide a brief statement of how the success of this project will be measured and monitoring plans associated with the project. Examples include: successfully addressing threats to habitat, educating the public, diverting human access to allow for habitat restoration, target species counts, checklist development, etc. (note: max. 1000 characters):
Provide description of monitoring and/or conservation measurement technique(s) used to evaluate this project (see project criteria for examples):
GRANT SUBMISSION & APPROVAL All grant proposals, in addition to the completion of this form, must be presented to the Duncanville Nature Conservancy Executive Committee via zoom or in person and receive approval from the executive committee for the grant request to be awarded.
Submit Project Proposal b by quarters end: March 1, June 1, Sep 1, and Dec 1 by 9:00 a.m. to the Duncanville Nature Conservancy, via email attachment or call 817-980-6380.