Do you have an Invasive Species Project that Needs Funding? 

2024 Capital Region PRISM Requests for Proposals
 
The Capital Region PRISM is seeking Request for Proposals (RFP's) for the 2024 calendar year.  The PRISM has a dedicated amount of funding for partner organizations throughout the Capital Region for invasive species related projects. Awarded projects must be located or serving areas within the ​boundary of the CR-PRISM.  
 
The CR-PRISM hosted by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County is funded through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) via the Environmental Protection Fund.  As part of the agreement with the NYSDEC, we are pleased to announce another round of funds to be released for contract on behalf of the CR-PRISM.  The PRISM Steering Committee has requested that the proposals align with the CR-PRISMs Five Year Strategic Plan 2023-2027 Goals, Objectives, and Priority Actions. 
 
The CR-PRISM is offering three levels of proposal requests in which potential applicants can apply for funding. Project requests can now fall within one of the three category levels below based on financial need of partners and proposed project work. Please review the following documents before filling out your application: 

CR-PRISM Requests for Proposals: Application ​

• 2024 Pre-Application Guide 
• RFP Contractor Insurance Requirements
• CR-PRISM Five Year Strategic Plan 2023-2027​
• 2024 RFP Application Capital Region PRISM

RFP Supporting Documents and Resources

• 2024 RFP Scoring Selection Criteria
• NY Invasive Species Prioritization Map Models
• Capital Region PRISM Invasive Species Tier Ranking List

---

The maximum level of funding will be $25,000 per subcontract including indirect costs. Matches in kind are not part of the funding request.  Smaller funding requests will be accepted and evaluated commensurate with measurable results/outcomes expected. The money for this program comes from the NYS Environmental Protection Fund. We expect to fund several projects through this RFP, but are not obligated to award all funds.

A Request for proposal is generally awarded funding when a project best meet the goals, objectives, and priority actions that are aligned to the Capital Region PRISM Five Year Strategic Plan and/or priority examples below. In addition, selected RFP proposals will demonstrate the greatest possible justifications and feasibility for success while meeting the highest levels of selection criteria. Applications should submit project proposals that follow a recommended framework of response to address priority objectives. Awards will be dependent on the merits of each project compared to other competing projects. The scope of work should provide a clear connection to invasive species issues or concerns. Projects do not require any matching funds, but documentation of in-kind matches will work in a proposal’s favor when ranked for selection of an award. Well documented budgets are required. Proposals that combine elements of prevention, education, outreach, early detection, response, restoration, research, and/or other forms of invasive species’ management as out lined in the CR-PRISM Five Year Strategic Plan 2023-2027 are encouraged.

Capital Region PRISM Priority Action Examples:
Prevent: Minimize the introduction and spread of harmful invasive species into new areas.

• Implement targeted prevention education for priority pathways of invasive species spread. Promote the creation of spread-prevention infrastructure and or materials to address specific pathways of terrestrial and aquatic invasive species spread such as boot brush stations. Address introduction pathways of invasive pests, pathogens, or species approaching the region.

Detect & Monitor: Detect and monitor harmful invasive species approaching and affecting the CR-PRISM.

• Make effective use of limited resources by monitoring priority species and locations. Surveys for Tier 1 and/or 2 species in areas where an introduction pathway exists. Survey methodology will be defined to determine highly probable areas that could support target invasive species. Early detection of invasive species at sites where species are likely present in low abundance, and evaluate the threat to conservation targets that include rare species and natural areas of significance. Proposals that address species other than Tier 1 and 2 will be considered but need justification on the value of efforts.

Respond: Mitigate ecological and economic impacts of priority invasive species using an integrated pest management approach.

• Make effective use of limited resources by prioritizing responses to invasive species infestations. Conduct response actions for Tier 1 and/or 2 invasive species infestations with early detection and response, control, management and/or restoration strategies. Eradication projects focused on Tier 1 or 2 invasive species are preferred over containment, suppression, or exclusion efforts of Tier 3 and 4 invasive species unless those actions are beneficial in protecting threatened, endangered or species of concern. Control projects that manage early detection species or species whose abundance is regionally low or where feasibility of control is high are preferred. Proposals that address invasive species other than Tier 1 or 2 species, that pose a legitimate ecologic threat, will be considered but need justification on the feasibility of work. 
• Restore sites following invasive species management and control efforts as needed.

• Conduct and support research involving invasive species. Improve the scientific understanding of the extent, ecological impact, and/or effective controls of invasive species in the Capital Region PRISM through research.

​
Establish a Localized Invasive Species Prevention Zone (ISPZ)

• The goal of an ISPZ is to protect a designated area against the intrusion of invasive species. The ISPZ will allow land managers to maximize their limited resources by focusing on areas of high conservation value while implementing monitoring and management actions with restoration as needed. In addition, an ISPZ will serve as a point to protect and preserve land holdings in their natural state for future generations. For more information on establishing an ISPZ  please reach out to the PRISM. 
• An Invasive Species Prevention Zone (ISPZ) is a formal designation for a natural area that is dominated by native species and is known to support exceptional biodiversity concentrations as stated by the New York Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP 2006). ​

Outreach, Communication, and Education: Build engaged communities that understand, support, and invest in the PRISM’s work to prevent, detect, and respond to harmful invasive species in the Capital Region.

• Collaborate and promote programs and events that engage specific audiences in the PRISM’s work to prevent, detect, and respond to harmful invasive species in the PRISM Region. Address introduction pathways of invasive pests, pathogens, or species approaching the region. Invasive species programming should enhance public awareness of invasive species issues with documented results such as number of events and number of participants engaged. Programs that focus on prevention or early detection that have broad application, will be preferred. Programs can include widespread Tier 3 or 4 species.

The Capital Region PRISM recognizes the unique circumstances that land managers may have in relation to invasive species projects.  Be creative in submitting a proposal that will apply to an invasive species-related project. In general, the projects can be derived from the terrestrial realm including, but not limited to: forest, agriculture, riparian, disturbed areas, and urban settings.  On the aquatic side, including, but not limited to: wetlands, tributaries, and all other limnology environments. 
 
Application Deadline Closes:
January 9th, 2024, at 9:00am

Tentative Award Notification:
February 27th, 2024

Supporting Document:
​New York State Invasive Species Comprehensive Management Plan .