DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
ENDANGERED AND THREATENED NATIVE FLORA CONSERVATION GRANTS PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT
The FDACS Division of Plant Industry is soliciting applications for review for the 2025 ENDANGERED AND THREATENED NATIVE FLORA CONSERVATION GRANTS PROGRAM. The 1997 Florida Legislature authorized the program to support the protection, curation, propagation, reintroduction, and monitoring of native plant species of the state that are endangered or threatened and is contingent on an annual appropriation.
Who is eligible to apply?
By law, a qualified corporation is:
· a not-for-profit corporation pursuant to s. 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.
· is described in and allowed to receive contributions pursuant to the provisions of s. 170 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.
· is a corporation not for profit, incorporated pursuant to Chapter 617 Florida Statutes.
· can demonstrate, based on program criteria described below, the ability to protect, conserve, propagate, reintroduce, and monitor endangered and threatened native flora.
What specific criteria must the applicant document be eligible for consideration?
The law requires that each applicant must successfully document:
(1)Existing conservation experience with endangered and threatened native flora.
(2)Existing facilities appropriate for program needs.
(3)Existing programs administered by the corporation that successfully protect, conserve, propagate, reintroduce, and monitor native flora.
(4)Existing record keeping and data that is accessible to national databases of endangered and threatened plants.
(5)Qualified staff with demonstrated experience in native plant conservation.
(6)Documentation of collaboration with related state, national, or international conservation programs.
(7)Successful experience propagating and reintroducing endangered and threatened native flora.
(8)Public exhibit programs publicizing the conservation of native species and the importance of the conservation effort.
(9)Fiscal stability and ability to match grant funding.
What projects are eligible for funding?
Activities that may receive Endangered and Threatened Native Flora Conservation grant funding are:
· Activities that provide recognition of those native floras to the state that are endangered and threatened.
· Activities that encourage, within a controlled program, the protection, curation, propagation, reintroduction, and monitoring of native flora identified as endangered or threatened.
Local Match
In all cases, applicants eligible to receive state funds must document matching funds. Local match may be in the form of cash, in-kind services, donated services, or materials.
Application Deadline
To be considered for funding, applications must be delivered to the Division of Plant Industry on or before 5:00 p.m., July 31, 2024, or clearly postmarked or show evidence of submission to an express mail service on or before the same time and date.
Application Review and Project Selection
All eligible applications will be evaluated competitively by the Endangered Plant Advisory Council at a public meeting scheduled for the fall of 2024. The Council consists of members appointed by the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture. The Council will review the applications in accordance with the criteria and procedures established in Florida Statute 581.185 and Rule Chapter 5B-40, Florida Administrative Code. The Council will make a recommendation, based on applications received and the qualifications of each applicant, to the Commissioner of Agriculture. A level of funding (full or partial) will be suggested for each project recommended.
Final selection of projects for inclusion in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 2025 legislative budget request will be made by the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and based on Council recommendations.
The selection will not result in an immediate grant award. Rather, the proposed grants will be subject to the Department’s budget request approval before the 2025 Legislature. The award and level of funding of each project will be subject to legislative consideration.
If projects receive 2025 legislative funding, funds will become available after July 1, 2025, the beginning of the next fiscal year. The funds will need to be obligated by June 30, 2026. Any unexpended balance of grant funds not under terms of a contract will revert to the state.
Administrative Requirements
Grantees will be required to sign a grant award contract to receive grant funds. The Division shall prepare the grant award contract and shall contain by reference all regulations, rules, and other conditions governing the grant award. In addition, each grant recipient shall cause an annual post-audit to be conducted by an independent certified public accountant. The annual audit report must be submitted to the Department for review.
Please feel free to direct any questions you may have regarding the Endangered and Threatened Native Flora Conservation Grants Program to Mr. Jason D. Stanley, Division of Plant Industry, (352)395-4744, Jason.Stanley@FDACS.gov.
