Wild & Scenic Rivers Stewardship Partners Funding

River Network and the United States Forest Service are excited to announce the sixth year of funding for nonprofit and tribal organizations working on or planning for stewardship activities on Forest Service administered Wild & Scenic Rivers (WSR) and surrounding lands. There is $200,000 available to be divided roughly equally between the two types of awards:

1. Stewardship Impact Awards – these awards are for WSR stewardship projects for groups with established relationships with the Forest Service, and can cover a range of stewardship activities. Funding will range from $5,000 to $20,000 to be used for up to an 18-month period between July 1st, 2024, and February, 28th, 2026. There is a suggested, but not required, matching contribution of at least 50% of the award. This funding is to support Wild & Scenic River stewardship and partnership building activities, which include, but are not limited to: 

• Stream monitoring/community watershed science (including development of new projects and initiatives that build capacity for longer term data collection) 
• River cleanups  
• River channel restoration and enhancement 
• Promoting native fish populations 
• Riparian habitat restoration 
• Invasive species management 
• Stormwater/sewage discharge management 
• Trail delineations 
• Erecting signage 
• “Leave no trace” trainings (including virtual) 
• Environmental education and outreach (including virtual), including recreational programs 
• Cultural preservation activities

2. Relationship Building and Planning Awards – these planning awards are intended to support relationship building between organizations led by and/or supporting communities who historically lack access to outdoor education, recreation, and stewardship opportunities and their local Forest Service offices. The awards can support the time for capacity building to develop these relationships and start planning for work together. River Network and Forest Service can facilitate introductions and connections with local USFS district offices for awardees to support relationship development. Groups in this category may be eligible to apply for full stewardship funding the following year. Funding is $5,000 per award.