Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP) Grants
Forecasted
Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP) Grants support agencies and conservation organizations restoring Montana wildlife and aquatic habitats to improve habitat and benefit species of conservation need.
Funder: Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks
Due Dates (Anticipated): November 2026 (Application deadline) | June 2027 (Funding opportunity deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $2 million annually for new projects; reimbursement grants lasting up to five years
Summary: WHIP funds restoration and conservation of degraded Montana wildlife and aquatic habitats, emphasizing species of conservation need.
Key Information: Applicants must be able to administer projects and finance expenditures before reimbursement.
Description
Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP) administers the Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP), a state-funded program supporting projects that enhance, restore, improve, or rehabilitate degraded habitat across Montana. Projects must create habitat uplift or net conservation gain for species of conservation need, or restore, improve, rehabilitate, or manage land or water as wildlife or aquatic habitat.
Supported work includes terrestrial and aquatic habitat conservation, water enhancements benefiting fish and wildlife, range restoration and drought resilience, and addressing noxious weeds, soil disturbance, or loss of diverse habitat communities. The program also supports reducing wildlife–livestock conflicts and disease transmission, and activities of state tribal wildlife programs. WHIP emphasizes ecologically important habitats, collaboration across ownerships, public access, and maintaining restored habitats for future generations. A citizen advisory council reviews, ranks, and recommends projects for funding.
