SWVMA Awards Invasive Plant Grant to Watershed Management Group

SWVMA Awards Invasive Plant Grant to Watershed Management Group

SWVMA is pleased to announce that Watershed Management Group has been awarded an Invasive Plant Grant. They will collaborate with Pima County Regional Flood Control District and Holistic Engineering and Land Management to develop an invasive species management plan to reduce buffelgrass and Lehmanns lovegrass by using animal impact through management to address flooding, drainage issues and reduce fire risks. They will also develop a pilot project using animal impact through holistic animal grazing. We look forward to a report on the results of the effort at a future SWVMA Annual Meeting.

Annual Meeting Volunteers/Scholarships – Applications Due October 19

Take some time to learn, share and network at the SWVMA Annual Meeting coming up on Oct 24-26! Scholarships are available in exchange for volunteering. If you are interested in a scholarship to the event to support your attendance, fill out and return the application form.

ScholarshipApplication2017

 Don’t forget, you can register directly by going to the link at SWVMA.org or by clicking here.
See you next week!

Nominations for Open Board Positions

SWVMA will be electing a new Vice President, Secretary and 3 board members at large at this year’s annual meeting. Please review the descriptions of the positions in the flyer linked below.  If you are interested in running for one of the positions, send an email nomination indicating which position(s) you’re running for and include a short biographical sketch (bio) to info@swvma.org by Monday, October 16.

Position Descriptions

Webinar Oct 28 – Challenges and Successes of Riparian Restoration and Invasive Plant Management in the West

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WEBINAR: Highlights of the Unique Challenges and Successes of Riparian Restoration and Invasive Plant Management in the West

Join us for a webinar on Oct 28, 2016 at 11:30 AM EDT.

Register now!

Rivers in the Southwest are often ribbons of green through dry desert ecosystems that provide unique habitats that wildlife and plants rely on for survival. However, these areas are often heavily impacted by outside forces such as dams, water regulation, development and invasive species invasions. These alterations to the ecosystems result in a loss of suitable native habitat, threats to endangered species that rely on these unique habitats and river systems with novel plant community composition, soil types and geomorphology. This webinar will address the broader issues of riparian restoration and invasive species management in the southwest including the value of partnerships and the importance of long-term, reliable funding sources. We will highlight the successes and challenges of the work being done by a watershed partnership group on the Verde River in Arizona and will discuss some of the unique challenges of removing tamarisk (an invasive species) and the potential impacts to endangered bird species.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. View System Requirements

SWVMA Announces 2017 Invasive Plant Grant Program

[fusion_text]SWVMA 2017 Invasive Plant Grant Program – proposal deadline extended to October 6, 2017[/fusion_text][title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””][/title][fusion_text]Background and Scope:

  • Southwest Vegetation Management Association (SWVMA) is a nonprofit organization whose mission it is to conserve and protect Arizona’s natural resources by providing a state-level organization that emphasizes an integrated management approach to address invasive or pest plants.
  • SWVMA Grant funds are made possible through donations and annual conference fees.
  • Invasive Plant Grants are intended to support the costs of active research and on-the-ground management of invasive plant species.
  • One or two grants may be made each year. Maximum funding for a single proposal is $2500, and a 100% match is required (1:1). The deadline for submittal of grant proposals is October 6, 2017.

Description, Limitations and Payment:

  • Grant funds may be used for the entire cost of a project or to supplement the cost of a project receiving other funding.
  • Researchers and vegetation managers from all levels of expertise are encouraged to apply (individuals, undergraduate and graduate students, professional researchers, weed management areas, non-profit organizations, all levels of government, private companies).
  • Members of the SWVMA are encouraged to apply, but membership in SWVMA is not a requirement.
  • This is a reimbursable grant. A 100% match (1:1) of the project cost must be contributed by the applicant. This amount may be in the form of cash, services, volunteer time, and/or in-kind contributions.
  • Grant funds will be distributed on a reimbursement basis via check. No grant funds will be distributed until project expenditures and local match have been incurred. The grant recipient will be required to make a presentation on the results of the project to the SWVMA membership at its annual meeting in October within two years after the grant is awarded.

Restrictions:

  • This grant is for research or on-the-ground treatments for invasive plants, not native plant species.
  • Funds are for research or on-the-ground project work only and may not be used to attend conferences or symposia, or to acquire training /certification.
  • Grant funds may be used for specific projects only, and may not be used to meet ordinary operational expenses.
  • Purchase of Capital Equipment (equipment costing more than $5,000 per unit price) is not allowed for any portion of grant funds.

Requirement:

  • Support by the SWVMA Invasive Plant grant should be acknowledged in any resulting papers, reports, projects, and/or presentations. Example: Support provided in part by funding from the Southwest Vegetation Management Association’s Invasive Plant Grants program.
  • Semi-annual reports (beginning 6 months from date of grant award) to detail expenses and progress toward stated project goals. Submit reports to grants@swvma.org
  • All work should be completed within two years of the grant award date.

Due Date:

Complete proposals must be received by SWVMA by 5:00 PM, October 6, 2017. Late proposals will not be considered.

Submit proposals electronically in Microsoft Word or PDF form to grants@swvma.org. The subject line should include “2017 Invasive Plant Grants”.

NOTE – Application Package Requirements:

Cover Letter:

Include a one-page cover letter that states the amount requested and provides an abbreviated description of the project.

Proposal Narrative:

Submit a proposal narrative, not exceeding 1,500 words, with 1-inch margins, at-least 10-point font, and single line spacing. The narrative must include the following:

  1. Contact information: Name, Institution (if applicable), Mailing Address, Email Address, Phone Number, Organization’s EIN Number
  2. Description of the project proposal including:
  • title
  • discussion of the issue/need for the project
  • description of the applicant’s relevant experience in addressing the issue or need
  • description of the methods/protocols to be used
  • project goals and measures for assessing effectiveness

3. Benefits expected from the project

4. Brief Budget and Proposed use of requested funds

  • itemized use of requested funds (Personnel, Supplies, Travel) – specify what items grant funding will be used to purchase
  • 100% match for On the Ground Items Only – specify how the match will be met through in-kind services or cash contributions
  • planned expenses from other sources of committed and anticipated revenue, if applicable

5. Project timeline

6. Targeted audience and geographic area to be served by the project

7. Anticipated publication or other plans to disseminate results and findings

Proposal Attachments:

  1. Brief description of the qualification of the person(s) managing the project.
  2. Letter of support from landowner/manager if project includes an on-the-ground component.
  3. Letters of commitment that clearly describes the contribution and in-kind value, if collaborating with another organization.

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