Cumberland Plateau Stewardship Fund
Request for Proposals
Proposal Due Date: 11:59pm (CST), February 27, 2014
OVERVIEW
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) invites your submission of proposals within the Cumberland
Plateau that will help accelerate the restoration and enhancement of critical forest and freshwater habitats
and associated wildlife species in the region. Major funding is provided by the USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS), with private funding from International Paper’s Forestland Stewards Initiative
and Alcoa Foundation.
Grant awards will range from $50,000 to $250,000, depending on the overall scale of the project. Awards are
anticipated to be announced in July 2014.
Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Jon Scott at [email protected] or Suzanne Sessine at
[email protected] to discuss project ideas.
GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS
Projects within the Cumberland Plateau in eastern Kentucky, central Tennessee and northern Alabama and
Georgia are eligible, with preference given to projects located within the identified focal areas (View Map).
Focal areas are categorized by priority habitat, including freshwater, terrestrial, or where both have significant
overlap. Projects within these focal areas should reflect strategies that address the priority habitat type(s).
State, local, and private lands are eligible across all states. Work on federal lands is eligible, but must be part
of projects where state, local, and/or private lands are also included.
CONSERVATION GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The Cumberland Plateau Stewardship Fund supports restoration, enhancement and protection of ecologically
important forestland and freshwater habitats to strengthen populations of important fish and wildlife and
improve water quality. The Fund has a particular interest in accelerating shortleaf pine ecosystem restoration
(including shortleaf pine and shortleaf-oak forests) and restoring freshwater habitat, to support the following
5-year objectives:
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Restore 3,500 acres of shortleaf pine and other native upland woodland/savanna forest species
Protect/enhance 50,000 acres of vulnerable shortleaf pine and other upland woodland/savanna forest
habitat
Restore/Enhance 2,000 acres of riparian forest for wildlife habitat and water quality.
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Increase populations of northern bobwhite quail and prairie warbler, as well as fish, amphibians and
other aquatic species, which are keystone or umbrella species representing healthy, sustainable
woodland/savanna forests and freshwater systems.
Engage more than 3,000 private landowners in shortleaf pine and riparian forest outreach, training and
technical assistance activities that contribute to the restoration, enhancement and wildlife objectives
described above, and support working forests by demonstrating their environmental and
socioeconomic benefits.
All proposals must specifically address how projects for which funds are requested will directly and
measurably contribute to the accomplishment of these goals.
PRIORITY FUNDING STRATEGIES
The Cumberland Plateau Stewardship Fund seeks projects implementing the following strategies:
1. Restoring Native Upland Woodland/Savanna Forests: Restoring native upland woodland/savanna
forest systems, particularly shortleaf pine and shortleaf-oak forest through reforestation actions that
benefit water quality and species is a major objective of the Cumberland Plateau Stewardship Fund.
Priority will be given to projects that:
o Restore native upland woodland/ savanna forests in areas adjacent to or in close proximity to
existing native upland woodland/savanna forests receiving appropriate management treatment
at regular intervals, or on existing protected lands likely to receive long-term management.
o Include all necessary site prep and plans for management (i.e., mechanical treatments,
prescribed burning) at appropriate intervals to promote long-term sustainability.
2. Enhancing and Maintaining Native Upland Woodland/Savanna Forest Ecosystems: Maintaining
existing native upland woodland/savanna forest systems, with emphasis on shortleaf pine and
shortleaf-oak savanna ecosystems, using a variety of methods including prescribed burning at an
appropriate frequency to enhance wildlife habitat and improve water quality.
o Prescribed Fire: Maintaining, expanding, and promoting the appropriate frequency (2- 3 years)
of prescribed fire across the shortleaf landscape. The Fund may support the following
prescribed fire strategies:
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Prescribed fire teams or other like strategies that increase prescribed fire capacity and
promote coordination and collaboration across organizations and agencies to grow the
number of acres under prescribed fire on an annual basis;
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Prescribed fire training to increase prescribed burning on private lands;
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Providing technical assistance and additional landowner incentives to increase the
number of prescribed fire acres and the frequency of prescribed fire on private lands;
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Identifying and addressing specific barriers or roadblocks (i.e., insurance, liability,
community issues, etc.) to fire introduction that may exist in a specific geography.
o Additional Management Treatments: Where prescribed burning alone is not sufficient,
improving and maintaining existing upland woodland/savanna ecosystems through thinning,
invasive species control, and mechanical treatments, where appropriate.
3. Restoring and Enhancing Riparian Forests and Watersheds: Restoring riparian forests through
reforestation and implementation of best management practices to improve watershed health and
enhance freshwater habitat. The following strategies are priorities:
o Restore riparian forests and reduce sedimentation of streams using a variety of methods
including, but not limited to, planting of native species, installation of fencing and alternative
watering systems to exclude livestock from streams and control of invasive plants.
4. Expanding and Coordinating Technical Assistance and Outreach: Projects implementing targeted
outreach and assistance to increase private landowners engaged in upland woodland/savanna and
riparian forest stewardship practices will be considered. Proposals must project the amount of acres
and/or miles to be restored or enhanced as a result of proposed technical assistance and outreach
activities. Preference will be given to projects that increase coordination across agencies and
organizations and improve delivery of landowner technical assistance for upland woodland/savanna
and riparian forest recovery efforts, as well as target outreach to private lands adjacent to or in close
proximity to established upland woodland/savanna forest stands and riparian forests receiving
appropriate management treatments at regular intervals. Priority strategies include:
o Increasing “boots on-the-ground”: Support additional landowner technical assistance
providers, including, but not limited to registered foresters experienced with shortleaf pine and
woodland/savanna forest restoration, to expand on-the-ground restoration and protection
activities on private lands, with a focus on existing and historical forestry growers. Applications
should describe existing technical assistance capacity within the geographic area of focus and
communicate how additional capacity will be coordinated with NRCS and other existing
providers and targeted to achieve conservation outcomes. Furthermore, applications should
demonstrate how new “boots on-the-ground” efforts will be aligned with and expand existing
technical assistance tools, including workshops, technical field visits, educational and outreach
materials, and access to cost-share programs, third-party forest certification and other marketbased initiatives.
o Advancing new market-based incentive programs: Support will be provided for innovative,
market-based solutions and incentive programs that: stimulate landowner participation in
upland woodland/savanna forest recovery and/or riparian forest restoration efforts; expand
contract periods to promote the sustainability of upland woodland/savanna and/or riparian
forest restoration activities; and/or, enhance the restoration and maintenance activities on the
land to promote the achievement of upland woodland/savanna and/or riparian forest ideal
habitat conditions. Strategies may include coupling new incentive payments funded through
the Cumberland Plateau Stewardship Fund with existing cost-share programs; providing smaller
incentives in cases where cost-share programs are oversubscribed and landowners are willing
to accept smaller payments; or other measures.
*Note: Land acquisition is not a priority of the program. However, in rare cases land acquisition requests will be
considered when the land is a significant priority target for upland woodland/savanna and/or riparian forest restoration
efforts and where grant funds can be substantially leveraged with other public and private resources.
CRITERIA FOR COMPETITIVE APPLICATIONS
Applications will be reviewed and evaluated based on the extent to which they meet the following criteria:

Conservation Outcomes: Demonstrate how project activities contribute to the overall Cumberland
Plateau Stewardship Fund forest health, water and species goals. Those that make the strongest and
most deliberate link will be more competitive. All applications must include specific quantitative
performance metrics that will be tracked and measured to evaluate the success of the project.
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Timing of Implementation: Ability to begin implementation this year and achieve significant outcomes
within 1-2 years, with opportunities for longer-term outcomes that can be facilitated through nearterm investment.
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Funding Need: Establish a clear need for the funds being requested, and demonstrate that activities
would not move forward absent funding from the Cumberland Plateau Stewardship Fund.
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Landscape Context: Describe how proposed activities will expand on new or existing restoration and
conservation initiatives to maximize large-scale ecosystem function; such as expansion of an anchor
area and connection of remnant forest stands by corridors.
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Critical Species Benefits: In addition to meeting key habitat needs for bobwhite quail and prairie
warbler; describe any significant benefits to other critical woodland/savanna dependent species, as
well as aquatic species, referencing any species recovery plans or other conservation plans outlining
species goals as appropriate.
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Partnerships: Demonstrate the ability to involve a range of public/private stakeholders in the area to
successfully implement and maintain the project, and create opportunities to attract additional
resources to the project.
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Cost-effectiveness: Present a clear and cost-effective budget. Preference will be given to those
projects that can leverage funds from a broad range of sources to meet or exceed the minimum 1:1
match requirement, and promote innovative and cost-effective approaches.
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Technical Merit: Demonstrate that the project is/will formally engage appropriate technical expertise
and assistance throughout project planning, design and implementation to ensure projects are
technically-sound and feasible. We recommend that applications be shared with the appropriate NRCS
State Conservationist for input and guidance before submission (View NRCS state conservationist
contacts).
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Monitoring: Provide a plan for monitoring progress during and after the proposed project period to
track project success and address new challenges and opportunities as they arise. Applicants should
budget time and resources to complete this task during the project period if not already covered
through existing responsibilities.
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Long-term Sustainability: Describe how the project will be maintained to ensure ecosystem benefits
are achieved and sustained over time. This should include how future funding will be secured to
implement necessary long-term monitoring and maintenance activities.
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Past Success: Demonstrate a proven track record of applicant and partnership success in implementing
conservation practices with specific, measurable results.
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Ancillary Benefits: Describe any ancillary benefits that may result from the project, (e.g., creates a
replicable model for landowners; establishes methods that can be shared with other practitioners;
creates new partnerships; supports new ecosystem markets, etc.).
ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES
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Eligible applicants include: non-profit 501(c) organizations; state, tribal, and local governments; and
academic institutions. Federal government agencies are not eligible to apply, but may coordinate with
other eligible applicants to support projects on federal lands where state, local, and/or private lands
are also included.

Projects should have a match of at least 1:1 cash or in-kind, but larger match ratios and matching fund
contributions from a diversity of partners are encouraged and will be more competitive* (for more
information on NFWF’s match policy, click here);
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Projects must direct the majority of grant funding toward on-the-ground upland and riparian forest
habitat restoration/enhancement.
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Grantees may only use grant funds for indirect costs if 1) the grantee organization has a federallyapproved indirect rate; AND, indirect costs do not exceed 15 percent of the total direct costs (even
when the federally-approved rate is greater than 15 percent).
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Proposals must include a map, outlining the projects location within the Cumberland Plateau; the
extent of remnant shortleaf and proximity of remnant stands to one another; public lands either at site
location or in close proximity to site; characterization of any private land ownership around the site;
and the watershed and water resources in the immediate area.
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Letters of Support:
o Applicants must highlight how the proposed project is being coordinated with applicable NRCS
State Conservationist offices, and letters of support must be submitted by the appropriate
NRCS State Conservationist (View NRCS state conservationist contacts).
o Letters documenting the support/contributions of all other project partners are strongly
encouraged.

Grant awards may support projects with a project period of up to two years; however, significant
project deliverables and outcomes are expected to be achieved in year one.
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If applicable, successful applicants will be required to provide sufficient documentation that the project
expects to receive or has received all necessary permits and clearances to comply with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), and any other Federal, state or local
ordinances.
INELIGIBLE USE OF GRANT FUNDS
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Funds granted under this program may not be used to support political advocacy, lobbying or litigation.
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Grantees may not use grant funds to support ongoing efforts to comply with legal requirements (e.g.,
permit conditions, mitigation, settlement agreements) of any local, state or federal permit. However,
grant funds may be used to support projects that enhance or improve upon existing baseline
compliance efforts.
HOW TO APPLY
1. Go to www.nfwf.org/easygrants. If you are a new Easygrants user, please register. If you are already a registered
user, use your existing login.
2. Select “Cumberland Plateau-Southern Appalachians Fund 2014” from the “Funding Opportunity” list.
3. Follow the instructions to complete your application. Once you get started, you may save your application in
progress and return another time to complete and submit it.
All proposals must be submitted to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation via Easygrants by 11:59pm (CST)
on February 27, 2014, for consideration.
QUESTIONS?
For questions about funding priorities and projects, please contact Jon Scott ([email protected]) or
Suzanne Sessine ([email protected]).