Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP) Grants
Forecasted
Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP) Grants support Montana habitat restoration projects led by local partners to improve degraded land and water for wildlife and species of conservation need.
Funder: Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Due Dates (Anticipated): June 2027 (application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $2 million available annually; grants may last up to five years
Summary: Supports projects that restore or improve degraded wildlife habitat across Montana.
Key Information: Applicants must be able to administer the project and cover expenditures before reimbursement.
Description
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) runs the Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program to enhance, restore, improve, or rehabilitate degraded wildlife habitat across the state. Projects must benefit ecologically important habitat and create habitat uplift or a net conservation gain for species of conservation need, or improve land or water as wildlife or aquatic habitat. Potential work includes terrestrial and aquatic habitat conservation, watershed enhancement, range restoration, drought resilience, and addressing damage from noxious weeds or soil disturbance.
The program emphasizes collaboration among partners and landowners, public access, and plans to maintain restored habitat. A citizen advisory council reviews and ranks proposals and recommends projects to FWP.
