Best Grants for Land Conservation in Wyoming

The Laura Jane Musser Fund was established by the estate of Laura Jane Musser of Little Falls, Minnesota to continue the personal philanthropy, which she practiced in her lifetime.

Environmental Initiative Program

The Laura Jane Musser Fund assists public or not-for-profit entities to initiate or implement projects that enhance the ecological integrity of publicly owned open spaces, while encouraging compatible human activities. The Fund’s goal is to promote public use of open space that improves a community’s quality of life and public health, while also ensuring the protection of healthy, viable and sustainable ecosystems by protecting or restoring habitat for a diversity of plant and animal species.

Projects must..

• Focus on protecting/restoring a sustainable ecosystem that is a defined, public open space.
• Promote public access to and use of the defined open space.
• Involve active participation of local community members, with a particular appreciation for volunteer and youth engagement and stakeholder contributions.
• Contain measurable outcomes within the first 12-18 months.
• Include a plan for the long term financial and environmental sustainability of the proposed program.

Projects during any one grant period will be eligible for either:

• implementation grants or 
• planning grants

Environmental Initiative - Implementation Grant Program

Implementation grant applications must demonstrate clear evidence of local community active participation and support.

Projects will be eligible for either planning or implementation funds during any one grant period.

The Environmental Initiative Grant Program by the Laura Jane Musser Fund aims to support public and nonprofit entities in enhancing the ecological integrity of open spaces. It promotes community involvement in planning and implementing projects that improve quality of life and public health while protecting ecosystems. Grants range from $8,000 for planning to $35,000 for implementation, targeting projects in specific states, fostering sustainability, and ensuring active local participation.

The Conservation Partners Grant Program, funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, supports private landowners in implementing regenerative agriculture and conservation practices. By awarding competitive grants, the program facilitates technical assistance for developing management plans and best practices, enabling landowners to maximize the ecological benefits of their lands. This initiative is crucial for enhancing fish and wildlife habitats, addressing pressing conservation issues, and promoting sustainable land stewardship across the United States.

The Cross Charitable Foundation Grant provides support to organizations focused on education, homelessness, wildlife conservation, environmental protection, and the welfare of dogs. Only organizations invited by the Board can apply, with one application accepted per year from each organization. Grants are restricted to the North West United States, specifically Idaho, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming. Individuals are not eligible for funding, ensuring that support is directed towards effective community initiatives.

The Western Big Game Seasonal Habitat and Migration Corridors Fund, managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), aims to enhance big game habitats and migration routes on federal, private, and Tribal lands. With an anticipated funding of $3 million, projects will focus on improving habitats for species like elk and mule deer, fostering biodiversity and climate resilience. This initiative supports sustainable wildlife populations and prioritizes collaborations with key partners such as the U.S. Department of Interior.

Wyoming Community Foundation

Since 1989, the Wyoming Community Foundation (WYCF) has connected people who care with causes that matter to build a better Wyoming. With over 500 funds and $270 million in assets, we support local nonprofits and make grants in every county.

By working with donors, nonprofits, and communities, WYCF makes giving accessible and impactful, helping strengthen organizations and the communities they serve. 

Butler Nongame Species Fund

The Butler Nongame Species Fund supports projects that conserve Wyoming's often-overlooked wildlife and habitats, carrying forward Gary and Jo Butler's vision for a healthier, more resilient ecosystem.

After a lifetime dedicated to wildlife conservation, retired Wyoming Game & Fish habitat biologist Gary Butler recognized that nongame species deserved greater attention and support. In 2017, Gary and his wife, Jo, established the Butler Nongame Species Fund with a lead gift that inspired others to join their vision. Today, the fund—administered by the Wyoming Wildlife Foundation—provides grants for projects that conserve Wyoming's 554 nongame species through habitat restoration, conservation, and other impactful initiatives.

If you have previously received funding, a final report must be submitted prior to submitting a new grant request. 

The FY26 Bureau of Land Management Youth Conservation Corps program aims to engage youth aged 16-30, including veterans and tribal members, in hands-on conservation projects. These initiatives foster skills in natural resource management, promote public land stewardship, and enhance community involvement through trail building, habitat restoration, and cultural resource preservation. By partnering with qualified youth corps, the program supports economic growth and environmental health while preparing the next generation of public land stewards.

The Wyoming Wildlife & Natural Resource Trust Grants support projects that enhance and conserve wildlife habitats and natural resource values across Wyoming. Established in 2005, this initiative provides funding to non-profit and governmental organizations for various projects aimed at improving terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Eligible projects include habitat improvement, open space preservation, and water enhancement. The Trust's mission is to maintain Wyoming's rich natural heritage while ensuring public benefits through sustainable practices.

Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust

The Wyoming Legislature created the Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust in 2005. Funded by interest earned on a permanent account, donations and legislative appropriation, the purpose of the program is to enhance and conserve wildlife habitat and natural resource values throughout the state.

The Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust is an independent state agency governed by a nine-member citizen board appointed by the Governor. Legislative oversight is guided by a select committee of six members, three each from the House and Senate.

The trust account is governed by a Board of nine citizens, each representing a geographic district, and collectively reflecting "a broad spectrum of experiences including wildlife, agriculture, energy, sportsmen, and tourism" (WS 9-15-104a). Income from the trust account will be used to fund a wide variety of wildlife and natural resource conservation programs.

Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust Funding

Projects

Any project designed to improve wildlife habitat or natural resource values is eligible for funding.

Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust funding is available for a wide variety of projects throughout the state, including natural resource programs of other agencies. Some examples include the following: 

• Projects that improve or maintain existing terrestrial habitat necessary to maintain optimum wildlife populations may include grassland restoration, changes in management, prescribed fire, or treatment of invasive plants.

• Preservation of open space by purchase or acquisition of development rights, contractual obligations, or other means of maintaining open space.

• Acquisition of terrestrial or aquatic habitat when existing habitat is determined crucial/critical, or is present in minimal amounts, and acquisition presents the necessary factor in attaining or preserving desired wildlife or fish population levels.

• Mitigation of impacts detrimental to wildlife habitat, the environment and the multiple use of renewable natural resources, or mitigation of conflicts and reduction of potential for disease transmission between wildlife and domestic livestock.

Funds may be used for planning, development, and monitoring programs at the sole discretion of the Board.

Public Benefit

Projects are required to provide a public benefit. Applicants are encouraged to fully document all public benefits, such as continued agricultural production to maintain open space and healthy ecosystems; enhanced opportunities for outdoor recreation; enhancements to air, land, or water quality; maintenance or enhancement of wildlife habitat; preclusion of soil loss or disease; or other perceived public benefits.

Project Size

Projects are designated legally as either "large" or "small" in scale. Large projects are defined as individual projects which require $400,000.00 or more in funding from the WWNRT and projects spanning multiple years will be considered as a single project. Applicants should understand that approval of large projects will require a sufficient amount of time for both board and subsequent legislative review prior to approval.