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Weed Management Areas: Funding

Sources of Funding for Weed Management

Funding is the continual pulse keeping existing programs running and gets new projects off the ground. The big challenge is finding funding that might apply specifically to weed control/management efforts. Funding may come from several sources: State and Federal, non-profit organizations, and private foundations/industry. Additionally, funding can be separated into funds allocated towards research, on-the-ground control, or education/prevention funding.

While there are only a handful of weed specific funding opportunities, the majority of applicable funds fall under the more general “catch all” categories of restoring ecosystem health and preserving and protecting California’s environment. Such funding might address fisheries, wildlife and waterfowl habitat preservation, watershed protection, or rangelands, wildlands, and wetlands restoration/conservation. Overall, a project proposal that emphasizes restoring the entire system and includes exotics control as a part/section within the proposal could stand a good chance of obtaining invasive weed project funding “through the back door.” Ultimately, groups such as CINWCC should work towards creating/lobbying for more invasive weed management/project funding at State/Federal, Non-profit, and Private Foundations levels.

There are many specialty grants that a weed management agency or group can tap into. It may just be a matter of tailoring or matching funding to a group’s needs or situation. For example, specific funds might be applicable for groups in the following situations:

  • A group battling tamarisk could tap into grants calling for resource conservation, soil erosion and water pollution.
  • Individuals developing strategies for yellow starthistle might apply for funding addressing rangeland management, livestock production, or using fire as a tool to control vegetation.
  • Watershed improvement funds, aquatic habitat restoration, or improvement of public access funds could be utilized in situations where invasives such as Cape ivy (formerly known as German ivy) or water hyacinth are impeding water flow and obstructing waterways.
  • Countless funds are available for projects conducted in particular regions of California and additional funds are accessible if endangered species are affected by weed infestations.
  • Tagged funds are available for habitat destruction/environmental protection on Indian tribal grounds and Department of Defense lands.
  • Yet another specialty category of funding is directed towards projects aimed at environmental education in schools and at the local/county levels.

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