Best Wildlife Grants in New Mexico

New Mexico herpetology researchers and educators can access funding through the Chiricahua Desert Museum for projects on amphibians and reptiles, including conservation, natural history, and public education. Individuals worldwide, especially students and those affiliated with universities, zoos, aquariums, or NGOs, may receive up to US $1,000 for fieldwork, habitat studies, or educational programs.

Researchers and students conducting ornithological research on birds in New Mexico can receive US $1,000 to support field or related study costs. New Mexico Ornithological Society provides New Mexico wildlife and ornithological conservation projects with annual research grants, with preference for student applicants and a requirement to share results through an NMOS meeting or bulletin.

New Mexico private landowners and conservation partners restoring wildlife habitat can access funding through the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. Awards up to US $750,000 support habitat restoration and protection for fish and wildlife, including herpetological, ornithological, and mammalian conservation on private lands across all states and territories.

501(c)(3) organizations in New Mexico caring for abandoned or abused pets, or improving wildlife welfare and habitat, can apply for the Ray Rowe Trusts for Animals grant, with awards up to US $5,000. Animal welfare and wildlife conservation groups, especially those focused on canid species, may be eligible.

Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) and 509(a) organizations working on wildlife and environmental conservation, including herpetological, ornithological, and mammalian conservation, may be eligible for McGraw Foundation support. This Northbrook, Illinois-based funder offers US $2,000 - US $10,000 for general operating, project, or occasional capital support, including for New Mexico-related conservation and education efforts.

New Mexico and other U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations seeking capital funding for wildlife and land conservation projects, animal protection, or related civic initiatives may be eligible. With a mission to support animal protection, land and wildlife conservancy, agriculture, land preservation, and civic arts, T.S. & K.D. Glide Foundation offers up to US $50,000, prioritizing California-based groups.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits with budgets under $250,000 that focus on animal welfare or wildlife preservation can apply for The Denver Foundation’s Lauren Townsend Memorial Wildlife Fund, awarding US $500 - US $5,000 for specific projects or programs. New Mexico wildlife organizations may be especially interested in this support for conservation-focused work.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations working on wildlife protection, policy, and advocacy may be eligible for Park Foundation’s animal welfare grants, including work in New Mexico. Funding supports endangered species conservation, indigenous wildlife management, legal advocacy, and sanctuaries, with emphasis on pollinators, wolves, whales, birds, and other nationally significant wildlife efforts.

Not-for-profit organizations developing waterfowl propagation areas that support the Mississippi Flyway, including work affecting New Mexico-migrating birds, can apply for Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ State Migratory Waterfowl Stamp Fund; awards up to US $500,000 for habitat projects in Canada or the U.S. that advance the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.

Nonprofit organizations, Indiana Bird Towns, and individuals conducting bird conservation, research, or education projects can apply for Indiana Audubon Society’s Mumford & Keller funding, with awards of US $500 - US $5,000. With a mission to support natural resource and avian studies, this program may benefit ornithological conservation efforts, including projects connected to New Mexico birdlife.

Researchers, educators, nonprofits, and agencies working on bird and wildlife conservation in New Mexico can apply for grants of US $500 - US $1,200 to support research, conservation, and education projects. Grants from Arkansas Audubon Society help U.S.-based ornithological and natural resource initiatives, with priority for work focused on birds and their habitats.

Research institutions, conservation organizations, and similar groups working on mammalian conservation and wildlife health in New Mexico and across the U.S. can seek competitive grants of US $50,000 - US $250,000 to combat white-nose syndrome in bats. Grants from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation support treatments, management tools, habitat strategies, and recovery of vulnerable bat species.

New Mexico ornithological conservation researchers can access funding through the William Brewster Memorial Award for an outstanding body of work on birds of the Western Hemisphere. This American Ornithological Society honor recognizes a book, monograph, or related papers published in the past decade and includes a medal and honorarium for individual ornithologists.

New Mexico ornithologists and bird conservation researchers can access recognition and support for outstanding ornithological conservation work through the American Ornithological Society’s Ralph W. Schreiber Conservation Award. This international award honors individuals or small teams for applied research, restoration, education, and avian recovery or habitat programs that advance bird conservation worldwide.

Established ornithologists who have provided extensive service to the American Ornithological Society and the broader ornithological community can be honored for their contributions to bird science and conservation. With a mission to connect ornithologists, science, and bird conservation, American Ornithological Society provides this service award with a framed certificate and honorarium. New Mexico wildlife professionals active in AOS may be eligible.

Early- and mid-career ornithologists contributing extensive volunteer service and committee work to the American Ornithological Society can be recognized for their service through this award, which includes a framed certificate. Grants from American Ornithological Society help New Mexico ornithological conservation professionals who are active AOS members and uphold the AOS Code of Conduct and Ethics gain recognition.

Early-career ornithology researchers working in fields like ornithological conservation, including those based in New Mexico, can apply for the Ned K. Johnson Early Investigator Award, which provides US $1,500 plus annual meeting registration. This American Ornithological Society award honors outstanding research and leadership potential among AOS members who earned doctorates between 2019 and 2022.

New Mexico early-career ornithology researchers can access funding and recognition through the James G. Cooper Early Professional Award, which supports outstanding work in any field of ornithology. Offered by the American Ornithological Society, this US $1,500 award includes a certificate, annual meeting registration, and an invited plenary for promising leaders in bird science and conservation.

Senior ornithologists whose work advances bird research and conservation can be nominated for this lifetime achievement honor in ornithological research, including those based in New Mexico. With a mission to support bird science, the American Ornithological Society provides this Miller Award to current AOS members demonstrating outstanding, ethical contributions to ornithology.

The Elliott Coues Award, presented by the American Ornithological Society, honors exceptional contributions to ornithological research without geographic or disciplinary restrictions. This prestigious award includes a medal and an honorarium and is named after Elliott Coues, a pioneering ornithologist. The award emphasizes the importance of diverse nominations and aims to recognize individuals who have made significant impacts in the field of ornithology, thus fostering a vibrant ornithological community.

The Conservation Practitioner Award, presented by the American Ornithological Society, recognizes dedicated professionals at any career stage who address avian conservation issues at local or regional levels. This award includes a certificate and a $1,000 honorarium, acknowledging the critical work of individuals or groups in government or non-government organizations. The AOS aims to promote ethical standards and support a diverse community of ornithologists committed to bird conservation.

The heart of The NRA Foundation’s mission is preserving the core of our American values and traditions in our steadfast effort to Teach Freedom.

The NRA Foundation Supports Freedom, Family, and the Future of the Shooting Sports

Established in 1990, The NRA Foundation, Inc. (“NRA Foundation”) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearm-related public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans.

The heart of The NRA Foundation’s mission is preserving the core of our American values and traditions in our steadfast effort to Teach Freedom.

Established in 1990, The NRA Foundation, Inc. (“NRA Foundation”) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearm-related public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans. These activities are designed to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those participating in the shooting sports, and to educate the general public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context. Funds granted by The NRA Foundation benefit a variety of constituencies throughout the United States including children, youth, women, individuals with physical disabilities, gun collectors, law enforcement officers, hunters and competitive shooters.

Women's Wildlife Management Conservation Scholarship

The Women’s Wildlife Conservation Scholarship, established by the NRA Women’s Policies Committee, is a renewable one-year $5,000 scholarship available to full-time college sophomores, juniors, or seniors. Thank you for your interest in the field of wildlife management, forestry, parks, or fish and wildlife conservation.

Scholarship Value

$2,500 per semester for up to two semesters. Recipients must maintain qualifications listed above to receive second installment.

Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund Grants

Empowering People to Move, Live, Work, and Play

Bridgestone has awarded over $60 million to nonprofit organizations in the United States since 1951, and we are committed to continuing our legacy of giving back by supporting communities around the U.S.

Bridgestone works with grantseekers that offer solutions to keep society moving forward. Strong partners offer a human-centered approach to societal challenges in one or more of the following areas of focus: 

In addition to our three areas of focus, we will consider applications from organizations that have hosted volunteer or community engagement events with Bridgestone volunteers and organizations that have received funding in previous years. 

About

The American Society of Mammalogists (ASM) was established in 1919 for the purpose of promoting interest in the study of mammals.

ASM Mission Statement

The mission of the American Society of Mammalogists is to advance the scientific understanding of mammals globally, to diversify the profession of mammalogy, and to promote science as the basis for the conservation and management of mammals. The Society achieves these goals through publications, grants and fellowships, annual meetings, and other education and outreach activities.

Stephen Jenkins Scholarship in Mammalogy

One of Steve Jenkins’ most meaningful legacies is found in the hundreds of students he taught and mentored over his 37 years in the Biology Department at the University of Nevada, Reno. He taught a wide range of classes including introductory biology, ecology, mammalogy and research design, and served as graduate advisor to more than 30 students. His research focused on beavers, wolves, wild horses, and ground squirrels. Steve worked to pass on his own belief that critical thinking is not just a fundamental tenet of sound science, but a force for good. He wrote the book How Science Works, an effort to demystify the scientific process for nonspecialists. In his retirement he wrote a second book, Tools for Critical Thinking in Biology. Steve has been a member of American Society of Mammalogists (ASM) since 1974.

Scope and Rationale of the Award

The new Stephen Jenkins Scholarship Award would be available to a graduate student in a North American university whose research is focused on one or more mammalian species. This would include field research (and lab research that supports and augments field research) in such fields as animal behavior, ecology, evolution, and conservation biology. ASM supports research on all aspects of mammalian biology, and the award will provide support for early career mammalogists. 

Use of Funds:

The award may be used only for research expenses, in the field or in the laboratory, research related travel, laboratory supplies, equipment, and attendance at professional meetings.  The current award is for $5000.

Wilson Ornithological Society

The earliest stages of the Wilson Ornithological Society’s development began with the formation of the “Young Ornithologists’ Association,” initiated in 1886 under the leadership of L. O. Pindar and J. B. Richards. They began as a corresponding group of naturalists interested in birds, with notes published in The Oölogist.

Soon after, the Society acquired a constitution and established itself in December 1888 as the Wilson Ornithological Chapter of the Agassiz Association. The fledgling group was named in honor of Alexander Wilson, considered the Father of American Ornithology. Its original purpose was “the study of birds, their nests, and eggs.”

Over the subsequent decades, the group—eventually becoming known as the Wilson Ornithological Club—published its proceedings and articles under a series of diverse titles, culminating in The Wilson Bulletin after 1894 and, most recently, The Wilson Journal of Ornithology. The Club adopted its Constitution and Bylaws in 1930 and became the Wilson Ornithological Society in 1955.

Early Professional Avian Conservation and Community Impact Award

The Early Professional Avian Conservation and Community Impact Award recognizes outstanding contributions by Wilson Ornithological Society (WOS) members working in applied, non-research careers that advance the conservation of birds and their habitats. This award also celebrates professionals whose work fosters a stronger and more inclusive conservation community, through management, education, communication, advocacy, or community engagement.

Purpose

This award highlights the diverse pathways through which people contribute to lasting ornithology and avian conservation beyond academic research. It honors those whose efforts build bridges between science, management, and the public; inspire action for birds; provide mentorship or leadership to build capacity; and promote equity, inclusion, and accessibility within the bird conservation community.

Examples of Qualifying Contributions

• Developing and implementing habitat management or conservation plans.
• Creating tools, educational materials, or outreach programs that promote bird conservation.
• Leading advocacy, communications, or storytelling that inspires conservation action.
• Building partnerships or community engagement initiatives that strengthen conservation impact.
• Advancing conservation policy or planning at local, regional, or national scales.

Award and Presentation

The recipient will be recognized at the 2026 Wilson Ornithological Society Annual Meeting, where they will be invited to share their work with attendees. The award includes:

• A monetary honorarium
• An original piece of artwork from an early-career artist
• Coverage of meeting registration, travel, lodging, and per diem expenses

The Frances M. Peacock Scholarship, established in 1994 by the Garden Club of America, supports college seniors and graduate students studying seasonal habitats for endangered native birds in the U.S. With an annual award of $4500, this scholarship aims to promote effective land-management practices. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled in a U.S. institution. Note that international applicants are not eligible for funding due to IRS restrictions.

The Dr. Bruce D. J. Batt Fellowship in Waterfowl Conservation honors the legacy of Dr. Bruce Batt, a leading figure in waterfowl research. This fellowship offers up to $5,000 annually to graduate students at North American universities conducting vital research on waterfowl and wetlands. Renewable for up to two additional years for PhD students, the fellowship promotes the integration of sound science in conservation efforts, supporting the next generation of waterfowl professionals.