Grantmaking Program

Applied Science 

Proposals under the Applied Science priority are invited to focus on academic or practitioner science projects that support the protection and enhancement of natural resources on Midpen lands. The intent is to develop and disseminate information that advances scientific understanding of natural processes. Proposals focused on Our Changing Ecosystems described below are encouraged. 

Our Changing Ecosystems 

A host of challenges face our world today. Climate change is impacting ecosystems in a myriad of known and unknown ways, from increased variability in precipitation and vulnerability to fire, to changes in species distributions and dispersal patterns. As a result, ecosystems are facing a combination of accelerated and new stressors, affecting the ability to rebound from any one event. Proposals for research that seek to understand these changes and identify potential response actions that can be taken related to land and resource stewardship practices are encouraged.  

Types of projects may include applied academic research or proof-of-concept and may cover a variety of topics relating to Our Changing Ecosystems such as: 

• Climate change and carbon sequestration 
• Climate refugia 
• Habitat loss and fragmentation 
• Population dynamics 
• Genetic diversity, including inbreeding and outbreeding dynamics 
• Plant and wildlife pathogens 
• Fire ecology
• Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) 
• Extreme weather events 
• Drought and flood management or watershed function 
• Sea level rise and shoreline resiliency 
• Ecological resiliency 
• Land management 

Example projects: 

• Research that examines the ecology and potential mitigation strategies to combat the spread of Phytophthora species that are of concern
• Research that identifies plant propagule collection protocols or best management practices for restoration activities based on genetic factors and or environmental factors 
• Protocol and installation of monitoring plots for the use of students 
• Research the impact of road construction on the movement patterns and genetic diversity of endangered species 
• Research that examines how climate change affects the movement patterns of habitat or wildlife and the effectiveness of existing connectivity solutions  
• Benefits and impacts of regional carbon sequestration actions on working/agricultural lands 

Network and Partnership Support 

California’s largest and most pressing challenges require working together to discover and implement innovative solutions. Landscape-scale stewardship is critical to ensuring solutions are scalable and have a broad impact. Consequently, this funding category focuses on grant proposals that cultivate, sustain, or grow established conservation networks.  

Although future funding rounds may allow for the creation of new working groups or networks, in this round only projects submitted by established groups or networks will be considered. An established group or network refers to an organized and recognized entity that has already been formed and actively operates in a specific field or area of interest. It typically consists of multiple individuals, organizations, or institutions that collaborate and work together towards a common goal or purpose. Groups or networks should be primarily oriented toward topics that relate to land management, conservation, or public access to outdoor recreation. Applicants are encouraged to emphasize if and how the group or network bridges gaps in access, widens equitable participation, or otherwise helps lower barriers to traditionally underserved communities.  

Proposals are invited to focus on developing organizational capacity or implementing projects to engage the group in working together towards developing shared priorities, exchanging best practices, or collaborating on research or educational outreach and education/interpretation, etc. Please note that funds may not be used for policy or advocacy work and therefore lobbying support is not an eligible project type. 

Example projects: 

• Support for forums, site visits, and other convenings for capacity building for indigenous knowledge, revitalization of Native American land management practices, and related partnership development
• Development of a network-wide data-sharing system 
• Consulting support and staff time to build a strategic plan for a working group to coalesce around a shared understanding of how participants will work together 
• Consulting support and staff time to leverage existing network capacity with a wider outreach to engage diverse partner organizations (e.g., serving additional age groups, diverse abilities, and/or traditionally under-represented communities) 
• Consulting support or staff time to build organizational capacity towards building the network strengthening communication and collaboration under a joint vision 
• Support to organize convenings to share research and best practices related to natural resource management 

Access, Interpretation, and Education 

Funding for access, environmental interpretation, and education will be directed towards facilitating equitable access and broad opportunity for all residents to experience Midpen lands while fostering an appreciation for open space protection, nature study, and environmental stewardship. Proposals are invited to focus on projects that contribute an understanding and appreciation of our natural systems, restore indigenous knowledge, facilitate opportunities for outdoor engagement and nature-based experiences, or provide nature-based educational and interpretive experiences for children and/or adults. Applicants are encouraged to emphasize if and how the proposal bridges gaps in access, widens equitable participation, supports indigenous communities, or otherwise helps lower barriers to traditionally underserved or under-represented communities. 

Funding can be used for staff time to create or execute programming, provide transportation to opportunities for outdoor engagement or nature-based experiences, facilitate knowledge of outdoor recreational opportunities, broaden access to the outdoors, engage residents in environmental stewardship activities, etc. Transportation-related projects must be to and from Midpen preserves. 

Example projects: 

• Public access or educational programs for the public, teachers, students, volunteers, and/or docents including topics such as wildlife connectivity, biodiversity, climate change, and resilience 
• Develop and/or improve interpretive signs and services along trails, including bilingual materials 
• Outreach and/or activity programs that connect tribal members with their ancestral homelands and foster indigenous knowledge 
• Complete gaps in a regional trail system that connect communities to trails and open space (e.g., outreach and engagement strategies for community and partner support for regional trail connections) 
• Outreach and/or activity programs or training materials that encourage outdoor engagement and nature-based experiences in underserved communities