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.

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.

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.

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) grants. 

Eligibility for CD Grants

Under state law, conservation districts must first fully utilize their regular mill levy authority for grant funding 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 CD Grant 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 grant funding. These standards are used to evaluate 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 its Annual Financial Report 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. CD is current with submittal of monthly meeting minutes. 76-15-530, MCA

For the most up to date grant guidelines and eligibility criteria, please visit the CD Grant Web Page.  

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, 406-437-4501, Catey Bauer, Catey.Bauer@mt.gov, 406-465-0948, Nicole Hallsten, nicole.hallsten@mt.gov, 406-513-8503

Aquatic Invasive Species Grants IMPORTANT DATES: Grant Applications Due Thursday, December 31, 2026 For additional information about the AIS Grant Program and to access the AIS Grant Program guidelines, visit misc.mt.gov. GENERAL INFORMATION:       The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) administers the Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Program in coordination with the Montana Invasive Species Council (MISC). DNRC provides fiscal management of the grant program and approves funding decisions. MISC manages the application process, reviews, and provides recommendations to the DNRC Director. Funding in the amount of $278,000/year for fiscal year FY27 and FY28 was appropriated by the legislature for this program. DNRC may incur up to 10% of the yearly appropriation for administration of the program. WHO WE FUND: AIS grants are available to Montana communities or local, state, tribal, or other entities within the state and to Montana-based non-governmental entities. WHAT WE FUND: AIS grants are intended to increase local capacity and involvement to address AIS issues. Projects that address the following AIS management components are eligible and include:

• Prevention
• Early detection
• Education and outreach
• Research
• Treatment

Current state-wide priorities that have been identified and vetted with former grantees and stakeholders for the upcoming AIS grant cycle include grants related to:  

• Monitoring / early detection projects to expand local capacity and involvement in multi- AIS taxa early detection efforts.
• AIS outreach projects that expand AIS awareness at the local level.
• AIS research projects.

Locally-led proposals that address the state-wide priorities will receive ranking preference, however all eligible grant requests will be evaluated and considered.       The state AIS program includes the Clean, Drain, Dry campaign and associated materials and products. Education and outreach projects must be coordinated with the state campaign for consistency, accuracy, and brand recognition to ensure maximum effectiveness. FWP will provide outreach materials for distribution and customization. For more information about AIS education and outreach, call Tom Woolf at 406-444-1230.       Preference will be given to: AIS species on the Montana Noxious Weed List and AIS under the authority of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) (see Appendix A); and to locally-led on-the-ground projects such as surveys and removal that result in measurable control of AIS.       The project must align with state AIS priorities, must show local support, and must be coordinated with related AIS efforts in the area and comprehensive invasive species plans. Priority will be given to local partnerships that demonstrate the administrative, financial, and management capacity to implement the project. The project must commit to using statewide AIS protocols and reporting.       While match funding is not required, it will be considered in the grant review and ranking process.  

For the complete AIS Grant Program Guidelines, including the application process and ranking criteria, visit: misc.mt.gov. FUNDING LIMITS: Grants may be awarded for up to $50,000 for most projects depending on available funding, the intended activities, and based on a budget that is supported by a clear scope of work. For Additional Information Contact:       Montana DNRC       Conservation and Resource Development Bureau       P.O. Box 201601       Helena, Montana 59620-1601  

Liz Lodman       406-594-9816       liz.lodman@mt.gov

Russ Hartzell

406-324-0021

russ.hartzell2@mt.gov