The Ranchland Stewardship Program is designed to transform rangelands into thriving, carbon-rich landscapes that support agricultural productivity and environmental resilience. Led by The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), in partnership with state and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, university researchers, and industry groups, the program leverages data-driven adaptive management to increase soil carbon while enhancing the economic viability of Montana’s ranching operations.

WMCC RESIDENTIAL & COMMUNITY GREEN STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE (GSI) GRANT PROGRAM AND APPLICATION GENERAL INFORMATION

Visit our website and check out our guidelines for more specifics: WMCC-EPA-Grant-Subaward-Guidelines.pdf

Eligible projects will develop or expand residential and community green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) programs that provide cost share, outreach, and programming on the benefits of using GSI to manage water quality impacts of stormwater runoff water. In addition to providing funds for materials, supplies and cost-shares for other services, successful programs will engage and educate residents and/or natural resource professionals about the conservation co-benefits of using GSI to mitigate toxic pollution from stormwater runoff in Western Montana watersheds that are part of the Columbia River Basin.

If you have any immediate questions please contact our general email DNRCARDDWMCC@mt.gov or grant staff directly.

Kristen Jordan, Grant Program Specialist, Kristen.Jordan@mt.gov

Heidi Fleury, Grant Program Specialist, Heidi.Fleury@mt.gov

Krista Lammers, Grant Administrative Specialist, Krista.Lammers@mt.gov

The Rangeland Improvement Loan Program was established by the Montana Legislature in 1979 (MCA 76-14-111) and is administered by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). It promotes rangeland improvement and development.  

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS  

 Any person may apply for a loan for rangeland improvements on land that will be constructed, developed, and operated in Montana. If the person is a resident of Montana, is engaged in farming or ranching, and possesses the necessary expertise to make the loan practical.  

ELIGIBLE PROJECTS 

 Eligible projects are rangeland development and improvement, including but not limited to stock water development, cross fencing, establishment of grazing systems, reseeding, mechanical renovation, sagebrush management, and weed control. All projects must be approved by the Conservation District (CD) where the application will be reviewed along with the conservation plan. The conservation plan may be prepared in consultation with the United States Natural Resources & Conservation Service (NRCS). 

LOAN LIMITS 

Loans may not exceed the limit set by the Rangeland Resource Committee recommendation to the DNRC Director and the interest rate is adjusted annually and based on application date.  Maximum loan amounts and Interest rates are found online at www.mtrangelands.org/rilp. Repayment periods may not exceed 10 years. Repayments on the loan are in annual installments. 

See Program Guidance: ttps://www.mtrangelands.org/_files/ugd/9714ad_7a31360684974c49a938ffbe89524955.pdf 

WMCC SEPTIC EDUCATION AND MAINTENANCE GRANT PROGRAM AND APPLICATION GENERAL INFORMATION

Visit our website and check out our guidelines for more specifics: WMCC-EPA-Grant-Subaward-Guidelines.pdf

Eligible projects will develop or expand residential septic maintenance programs that provide cost share, outreach, and programming on septic water quality impacts. In addition to providing a maintenance cost-share or other services, programs or events will engage and educate residents and/or natural resource professionals about toxic pollution from septic leachate in Western Montana watersheds that are part of the Columbia River Basin. 

If you have any immediate questions please contact our general email DNRCARDDWMCC@mt.gov or grant staff directly.

Kristen Jordan, Grant Program Specialist, Kristen.Jordan@mt.gov

Heidi Fleury, Grant Program Specialist, Heidi.Fleury@mt.gov

Krista Lammers, Grant Administrative Specialist, Krista.Lammers@mt.gov

DO YOU NEED HELP APPLYING FOR A RENEWABLE RESOURCE PLANNING GRANT? 

DNRC is offering local governments Technical Assistance to apply for planning grants. Technical Assistance is designed to assist local governments that: 

1.  Do not have an established relationship with a professional engineering firm. OR 
2. Have not been successful in applying for DNRC planning grants since July 1, 2023.

DNRC will prioritize requests for Technical Assistance from local governments who meet the above criteria. 

If Technical Assistance is approved, DNRC will assign a contracted technical service provider to assist the local government with a Renewable Resource Planning Grant Application. 

Technical Assistance is limited to 20 hours of professional services. Technical service providers are contracted with and paid by DNRC once a Renewable Resource Planning Grant Application is submitted. 

If you have questions, please contact Katherine Certalic kcertalic@mt.gov .

Please review the Private Grant Guidelines before applying.

Eligible Applicants: Private Citizens, Associations, Partnerships, or Corporations.

• Eligible Activities: Private septic system repair, upgrades, or replacement; Connection to municipal sewer services; Dam inspections or repair; or Other private water projects that have a public benefit.
• Maximum Grant Amount: $5,000 (or $7,500 for Level 2 Septic Upgrades).
• Minimum Match Requirement: 75% of total project cost.

DNRC RRGL Emergency Grant 

Thank you for your interest in the RRGL Emergency Grant program. The legislature has appropriated $300,000 to the Renewable Resource Grant and Loan (RRGL) Program to provide emergency funding for projects that, due to their emergency nature, cannot wait for legislative approval. Grants are available for emergency projects that pose an immediate threat to the beneficial management of a renewable resource and, if delayed, will cause substantial damage or legal liability. All reasonable funding sources must be investigated before an emergency grant will be awarded. Emergency grants are limited to $30,000 per project. Grant assistance is limited to only serious emergencies that meet program requirements. 

Please review the Program Guidelines Here: RRGL-Program-Guidelines-2025-Biennium 

Grantees must enter into a contract with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) before funds can be reimbursed. Reimbursement requests must include copies of applicable invoices, proof of payment, and the DNRC Vendor Invoice. Project close-out documents include a Certificate of Compliance.
 

All conservation districts in Montana are eligible for apply for CD grant funding through the Conservation District Account administered by DNRC. The following criteria will be applied in evaluating CD grant funding requests. 

1. CD has a need for funds beyond mill for general operations. 76-15-530, MCA 
2. CD has levied the maximum county mills allowed for the current fiscal year. 76-15-530, MCA
3. A conservation district is not eligible to receive a grant unless it has exhausted its authorized mill levies. 76-15-530 MCA 
4. CD has submitted its Annual Financial Report to the Department of Administration- Local Government Services. 2-7-503, MCA 
5. CD has prepared and submitted a preliminary budget to the county clerk and recorder. 7-6-40, MCA. 
6. A statement of assets including account balances and the district’s plans and timeline for expending.For the most up to date grant guidelines, please visit the CD Resource Documents Site.  

To inquiry about ideas, and/or project feasibility, contact the CD Specialist for your District who will work with you to develop the proposal including a detailed scope, schedule, and budget.  

https://dnrc.mt.gov/Conservation/Conservation-Programs/Conservation-Districts/  

Stephanie Criswell, Steph.Criswell@mt.gov, 406-444-6669 Mary Hendrix, Mary.Hendrix@mt.gov, 406-431-2639 Veronica Grigaltchik, Veronica.Grigaltchik@mt.gov, 406-437-4501 Catey Bauer, Catey.Bauer@mt.gov, 406-465-0948

GENERAL INFORMATION:  The Montana Legislature provides Montana conservation districts with coal severance tax monies for any purpose they are authorized to perform pursuant to MCA, Title 76, Chapter 15, Part. 

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Conservation Resource Development Division (CARDD) administers this funding through Conservation District (CD) Administrative Grants. 

Eligibility for CD Administrative Operations Grants

Under state law, conservation districts must first fully utilize their regular mill levy authority for operational costs before becoming eligible for state financial assistance. This requirement applies only to regular mill levies and does not limit the use of permissive mill authority, which remains available for its specific statutory purposes. The program is open to all conservation districts and funding is awarded based on demonstrated financial need pursuant to 76‑15‑530, MCA.

CDs that meet the criteria below are eligible to apply for CD Administrative (CDA) grant funding. These standards are used to evaluate CDA funding requests.

1. CD has levied its maximum regular mill and has a need for supplemental funds for general operations. 76-15-530, MCA 
2. CD has submitted Annual Financial Reports to the Department of Administration- Local Government Services. 2-7-503, MCA
3. CD has prepared and will submit a preliminary budget to the county clerk and recorder. 7-6-40, MCA
4. District is current with submittal of monthly meeting minutes. 76-15-530, MCA
5. A statement of assets including account balances and the district’s plans and timeline for expending those funds.

Beyond supplementary grants for district operations, additional funding opportunities are available through CD Administrative Grant funding and include:

• 310 Reimbursement. DNRC reimburses districts for each 310 application processed. Rates per application are subject to the total number of 310 reimbursement requests and available budget. Unlike the other options in this application, this is a reimbursement for the previous year’s 310 work.
• MACD Dues Opt-in. CDs can opt-in for $3,500 in funding for their upcoming Montana Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) annual dues. By opting in, the CD agrees to supplement these funds with $500 in non-CDA funding and is responsible for paying dues directly to MACD. Through association dues, MACD provides statewide programming and services to all CDs in Montana.
• Funding requests for statewide or regional affiliate programs. Affiliate programs are regional or statewide efforts that provide programming or services benefiting most Montana conservation districts. This option has additional criteria beyond what is included in these guidelines. Please reach out to the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) - Conservation Districts Bureau (CDB) for more detailed information on this option.

Review the CD Administrative Grant Guidelines for additional information about eligibility and this funding opportunity.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 31, 2026 by 11:59 p.m.   

For additional information about Conservation District Grant Programs, visit dnrc.mt.gov or contact your CD Specialist.