Southwest Rivers Program
The Southwest Rivers Program funds science-based projects to restore and protect river, wetland, and grassland habitats in the Southwest, enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
Funder: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Due Dates: June 26, 2026 (Rio Grande Project Drought Resilience Efforts Initiative) | November 12, 2025 (Pecos Watershed Conservation Initiative) | November 9, 2023 (Southwest Rivers Headwaters Fund)
Funding Amounts: Typical awards range from $100,000–$500,000 (Pecos Watershed), up to $2 million total per cycle (Headwaters Fund); most projects are 1–3 years.
Summary: Funds innovative conservation projects to restore and protect river, wetland, and grassland habitats in the Southwest, supporting wildlife and ecosystem resilience.
Description
The Southwest Rivers Program, led by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), supports collaborative conservation efforts across the Pecos, Rio Grande, and Colorado River watersheds in the southwestern United States. The program addresses urgent environmental challenges by funding habitat restoration and protection, rangeland improvements for grassland species, and flow and habitat management initiatives. Through targeted grant cycles such as the Pecos Watershed Conservation Initiative and the Southwest Rivers Headwaters Fund, the program seeks to reinvigorate critical habitats, improve water availability, enhance ecosystem connectivity, and protect the region’s unique biodiversity.
