*** 2023 WSP Program Information Posted Below ***
*** Deadline for Submittals - Extended to May 5th, 2023 ***
The National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance is proud of the partnership with the Forest Service to bring our partner members the Wilderness Stewardship Performance (WSP) activity grants. Funding has been offered since Summer 2016. We are looking forward to another great season in 2023.
What is the WSP Funding Program
Wilderness Stewardship Performance is the suite of activities which the Forest Service uses to measure their wilderness stewardship accomplishment. This funding program is for wilderness stewardship volunteer organizations to support wilderness stewardship activities that contribute to overall improvement in wilderness stewardship performance scores for individual wilderness areas.
NWSA and the Forest Service are pleased to offer this opportunity for wilderness stewardship groups to assist the Forest Service in meeting their wilderness stewardship performance goals. We are hoping that the success of this funding program will lead to its further expansion in the future.
Depending on funding NWSA will accept applications beginning in February 2023.
WSP Reference Resources
Complete Information on WSP can be found on the Wilderness Connect Website at: Click Here
As a refresher on the WSP Funding Program two Powerpoints are available for review.
Powerpoint #1 explains the WSP Program
Powerpoint #2 describes the NWSA Funding Program as delivered by Randy Welsh, Executive Director of NWSA.
And Check out our February 2021 Webinar - "NWSA Funding Programs" on the webinar page for more information.
Or see the Forest Service Wilderness Stewardship Performance Guidebook for more detailed information about the activities that qualify.
Ten Strategies for a Successful Grant Application
2023 Funding Programs Powerpoint (shown March 7, 2023)
Summer/Fall 2023 WSP Funding Application Period will begin February 1st 2023.
DEADLINE for Submissions: May 5th 2023.
It is time to consider applying for 2023 WSP Funding.
2023 new information is now posted. PLEASE USE THE NEW FORMS!! Using old forms may disqualify a project.
** BREAKING NEWS **
After meeting with the Forest Service at Hike the Hill in Washington DC the week of February 13th there are some exciting new program changes to announce!
- Projects can now extend over two field season. Essentially there will be 18 months for project completion, from approximately May 2023 to December 2024.
- The Partner Match requirement is dropping to a minimum of 20%, and can be either cash or inkind contributions. This is in line with recent changes with all FS agreements.
- The maximum project size is being increased to $50,000. This will allow for larger scale and longer projects.
We are also anticipating a large increase in available funding, maybe 2-3 times as much, though the final amounts will be contingent on the overall federal budget process.
These changes are being incorporated into the application materials below.
Applicants must be members in good standing of NWSA. Join or Renew your Membership Here.
Announcement of 2023 WSP Funding Program
UPDATED PROGRAM INFORMATION - FACT SHEET for 2023 WSP Funding Program
Each Application requires an:
- Application Form (available in .docx WORD format) - Note Updated 4/19/2023.
- A Budget Worksheet (in Excel format)
- A Letter of Support from District Ranger or Forest Supervisor
- A letter of non-profit status from the IRS, unless already on file with NWSA
- All Projects this year will use Direct Deposit for reimbursements (Direct Deposit form to be submitted if selected, if not already on file with NWSA)
- Guide to Invoices
- Direct Deposit Form (for selected applicants)
Final Selections for the WSP Funding Program are contingent on Forest Service Budget Allocation for this Challenge Cost Share. A Federal Final Budget has not yet been passed but we fully expect it will prior to selections being announced in May.
Changes from 2022 to 2023:
- Accepting Applications from February 1st through April 15th
- Receipts for materials, supplies, contracting, and other tangible items will be required to be submitted with invoices. All others kept on file for at least 3 years.
- New portal to submit applications is: [email protected] <--NOTE Correct Email
Questions about the National Forest Wilderness Stewardship Performance Partnership Funding may be addressed to Randy Welsh, Executive Director, NWSA at either 801-808-2167 or [email protected]
2022 Funded Projects
19 Wilderness Stewardship Performance Funding Program projects are active this summer.
Through our partnership with the USDA Forest Service, 19 organizations received funding for Wilderness Stewardardship Performance work this summer totaling over $200,000. Organizations receiving WSP funding for 2022 include:
Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Foundation
BCHA Motherlode Chapter
Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation
Colorado Mountain Club
Friends of the Inyo
Great Old Broads - Cascade Volcano Chapter
Great Old Broads - Willamette Valley
Idaho Conservation League
Indian Peaks Wilderness Alliance
New Mexico Wild
Selway-Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation
Sitka Conservation Society
Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards
Ventana Wilderness Alliance
Western Slope Conservation Center
Wild Alabama
Wild Arizona
Wilderness Workshop
Wyoming Wilderness Association
Organizations awarded funding in 2021 include:
Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Foundation
Ascend Wilderness Experience
BCHA Motherlode Chapter
Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation
Del Norte Trails - Redwood Parks
Friends of Nevada Wilderness
Friends of the Inyo
Great Old Broads - Cascade Volcano Chapter
Idaho Conservation League
Indian Peaks Wilderness Alliance
John Muir Trail Wilderness Conservancy
New Mexico Wild
Roaring Fork Outdoors Volunteers
Save Our Canyons
Selway-Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation
Sitka Conservation Society
Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards
Upper Gila Watershed
Ventana Wilderness Alliance
Western Colorado University
Western Slope Conservation Center
Wild Arizona
Wilderness Institute
Wilderness Workshop
Wyoming Wilderness Association
Final 2020 WSP Funding Program Final Report Summary
Organizations awarded funding in 2020 include:
Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Foundation
Arizona Wild
BCHA - Motherlode Chapter - Lois Lake
Bob Marshall Foundation
Colorado Mountain Club
Del Norte Trails - Redwood Parks Conservancy
Friends of Mt Evans
Friends of the Inyo
Great Old Broads
Indian Peaks
New Mexico Wild
Poudre Wilderness Volunteers
Save Our Canyons
Selway-Bitterroot Foundation - Salmon
Sitka Conservation Society
Sky Island Alliance
Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards
Ventana Wilderness Alliance
Western Slope Conservation Center
Wilderness Institute
Wilderness Workshop
Wyoming Wilderness Association
Summer 2019 Funding Awarded
Organizations awarded WSP funding in 2019.
Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Foundation
Arizona Wilderness Coalition
Common Outdoor Ground
Friends of Mt Evans - Lost Creek
Friends of the Central Cascades Wilderness
Great Broads - Cascade-Volcano Chapter
Heart of the Gila
Idaho Trail Association
Indian Peaks Wilderness Alliance
New Mexico Wilderness Alliance
Redwoods Conservancy - Del Norte Trails
Rocky Mountain Field Institute
Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards
Selway Bitterroot - Frank Church Foundation - Frank Church
Ventana Wilderness Alliance
Western Slope Conservation Center
Wilderness Workshop
Wyoming Wilderness Association
Winter 2018-19 WSP Funding Awarded.
Congratulations to the awardees:
Absaroka-Beartooth Foundation
Poudre Wilderness Volunteers
Save Our Canyons
Selway-Bitterroot / Frank Church Foundation
Sikiyou Mountain Club
Ventana Wilderness Alliance
For Information about the Winter 2018-2019 WSP Program read the Winter 2018-2019 WSP Fact Sheet.
Previous WSP Grant Awards
Summer 2018 WSP Grant Cycle
Awardees for the Summer 2018 WSP Grant cycle include:
- AIM for Wilderness Stewardship
Ascend Wilderness Experience
BCHA - Motherlode
Friends of Mt Evans - Lost Creek
Friends of the Inyo
Great Basin Institute
Great Broads - Cascade-Volcano
Indian Peaks Wilderness Alliance
Phoenix School
Poudre Wilderness Volunteers
Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards
Selway Bitterroot - Frank Church Foundation - Frank Church
Selway Bitterroot - Frank Church Foundation -Bitterroot
Student Conservation Association - Frank Church
Sitka Conservation Society
Sky Island Alliance
Upper Gila Watershed
Ventana Wilderness Alliance
Western Slope Conservation Center
Wilderness Institute
Winter 2018 WSP Grant Cycle
Awardees for the Winter 2017 WSP Grant Cycle incude:
- Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Foundation
- AIM for Wilderness Stewardship
- Backcountry Horsemen of Los Padres
- Friends of Nevada Wilderness
- Indian Peaks Wilderness Alliance
- New Mexico Wilderness Alliance
- Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards
- Siskiyou Mountain Club
- Ventana Wilderness Alliance
Summer 2017 WSP Grant Cycle
Awardees for the summer 2017 WSP Grant Cycle include:
- AIM for Wilderness Stewardship
- Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Foundation
- Discovery Southeast
- Friends of the Eagle Nest Wilderness
- Friends of Kings Peak
- Friends of Wilderness
- Idaho Trails Association
- Idaho Youth Employment Program
- Indian Peaks Wilderness Alliance
- New Mexico Wilderness Alliance
- Northwoods Volunteer Connection
- Partners of Joyce Kilmer - Slickrock
- Rocky Mountain Field Institute
- Selway Bitterroot-Frank Church Foundation
- Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards
- Student Conservation Association
- Ventana Wilderness Alliance
- Wilderness Institute, University of Montana
Winter 2017 WSP Grant Cycle
Awardees for the Winter 2017 WSP Grants include:
- Arizona Wilderness Coalition
- Friends of Nevada Wilderness
- High Desert Trail Riders, BCHA
- Indian Peaks Wilderness Alliance
- Phoenix School, Roseburg Oregon
- New Mexico Wilderness Alliance
- Trout Unlimited
- Ventana Wilderness Alliance
- Wilderness Workshop
Summer/Fall 2016 WSP Grant Awardees
- Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation
- Wilderness Institute - UM
- Sitka Conservation Society
- Ventana Wilderness Alliance
- Arizona Wilderness Coalition
- Discovery Southeast
- Absaroka Beartooth Foundation
- Poudre Wilderness Volunteers
- Upper Gila Watershed Alliance
- Mother Lode - Backcountry Horsemen
- Indian Peaks Wilderness Alliance
- Friends of Nevada Wilderness - Wovoka
- Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards
- Youth Employment Salmon
- Friends of Kings Peak
- SCA - Sheep Creek Knapweed Monitoring
- Friends of Nevada Wilderness - Mt. Rose
