$4 M in grants available for invasive species projects – Adirondack Explorer

Report on New York’s Invasive Species Grant Program and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Program Overview and Funding

A total of $4 million has been allocated for the fourth round of the Invasive Species Grant Program, funded by New York’s Environmental Protection Fund. This initiative is designed to finance projects targeting the mitigation of aquatic and terrestrial invasive species, thereby making a direct contribution to the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Strategic Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The grant program is fundamentally aligned with the global sustainability agenda, primarily supporting the following SDGs:

• SDG 14 (Life Below Water): By funding projects to control and prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, the program directly contributes to the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources.
• SDG 15 (Life on Land): The focus on terrestrial invasive species and habitat restoration is crucial for protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, halting biodiversity loss, and reversing land degradation.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Projects that restore impacted sites enhance the resilience and sustainability of communities by improving local ecosystems and public spaces.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The program structure, which invites collaboration between government, municipalities, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations, exemplifies the multi-stakeholder partnerships essential for achieving the SDGs.

Eligible Project Categories and Direct SDG Impact

Applicants may submit proposals for projects in four distinct categories, each with a direct impact on specific SDG targets:

1. Aquatic Invasive Species Spread Prevention or Boat Decontamination: These projects are critical for achieving SDG Target 14.2 by managing and protecting marine and coastal ecosystems from the adverse impacts of invasive alien species.
2. Terrestrial and Aquatic Invasive Species Rapid Response and Control: This category directly addresses SDG Target 15.8, which calls for measures to prevent the introduction of and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems.
3. Terrestrial and Aquatic Invasive Species Research: By supporting academic research, this category advances SDG Target 14.a and related targets in SDG 15, which emphasize increasing scientific knowledge to improve ecosystem health and biodiversity conservation.
4. Restoration and Resiliency of Sites Impacted by Invasive Species: These efforts contribute to SDG Target 15.5 by taking action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats and halt biodiversity loss. They also support SDG 13 (Climate Action) by strengthening ecosystem resilience.

Grant Specifications and Application Process

• Funding Range: Awards will range from a minimum of $11,000 to a maximum of $250,000.
• Matching Funds: A 25% match is required from applicants, fostering shared investment in sustainability outcomes.
• Eligible Applicants: Municipalities, academic institutions, and not-for-profit organizations are eligible, promoting the partnership model of SDG 17.
• Project Location: All projects must be located entirely within New York State.
• Prioritization: Priority will be given to projects that advance sustainability through public participation (contributing to SDG 4.7), are located on or near public lands and waterbodies (supporting SDG 11.7 and SDG 15), and incorporate strategies for long-term success.

Submission and Deadline

All bids must be submitted through the NYS State Financial System Grants Management portal. The deadline for submission is 3 p.m. on December 17.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  This goal is central to the article, which focuses on protecting terrestrial ecosystems from the threat of invasive species. The grant program aims to fund projects for the “control,” “research,” and “restoration” of land areas impacted by these species, directly contributing to the protection of biodiversity and the health of terrestrial habitats.

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  The article explicitly mentions the grant program targets “aquatic invasive species.” It supports projects for “Aquatic Invasive Species Spread Prevention” and the restoration of impacted waterbodies. This aligns with SDG 14’s objective to protect and restore marine and freshwater ecosystems.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The grant program itself is a form of partnership. It is a state-funded initiative that collaborates with “Municipalities, academic institutions and not-for-profits” to achieve its environmental objectives. The requirement for a “25% match” and the priority given to projects with “public participation” further emphasize the multi-stakeholder partnership model essential to achieving the SDGs.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. Target 15.8: By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species.

   This is the most directly relevant target. The entire “Invasive Species Grant Program” described in the article is a measure designed to achieve this objective. The project categories, such as “Terrestrial and Aquatic Invasive Species Rapid Response and Control” and “Aquatic Invasive Species Spread Prevention,” are direct actions aimed at reducing the impact of and controlling invasive species within New York State.

2. Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans.

   While the article focuses on New York State’s waterbodies, the principle of this target applies. The grant program’s focus on “Aquatic Invasive Species Spread Prevention” and the “Restoration and Resiliency of Sites Impacted by Invasive Species” directly supports the management, protection, and restoration of aquatic ecosystems to strengthen their resilience against the adverse impacts of invasive species.

3. Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.

   Invasive species are a primary driver of habitat degradation and biodiversity loss. By funding projects to control these species and restore affected sites, the grant program takes “urgent and significant action” to combat this degradation, thereby helping to preserve natural habitats and the biodiversity they support.

4. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

   The article highlights a partnership model where a state entity (using the Environmental Protection Fund) provides grants to other public bodies (“Municipalities”), civil society organizations (“not-for-profits”), and academic institutions. This collaborative approach, which leverages the expertise and resources of various sectors to tackle a common problem, is a clear example of the partnerships promoted by Target 17.17.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

• Financial resources allocated to conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

  The article explicitly states that “Approximately $4 million is now available” through the grant program, which is supported by “New York’s Environmental Protection Fund.” This amount serves as a direct financial indicator of the resources being committed to combating invasive species.

• Number of partnerships and collaborative initiatives.

  The structure of the grant program implies this indicator. It is open to “Municipalities, academic institutions and not-for-profits,” and priority is given to projects with “public participation.” The number of applications received and projects funded across these different types of organizations would serve as an indicator of the breadth of the partnership.

• Proportion of budget sourced from non-public funds.

  The article mentions a “required 25% match” for all grant awards. This requirement ensures that for every dollar of public funding, additional resources are leveraged from the partner organizations. This match can be tracked as an indicator of resource mobilization from non-state sources, reflecting the strength of the partnership.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: adirondackexplorer.org