Conservation Grant Program 2025/2026

The Sequoia Park Zoo Advisory Group’s Conservation Council is accepting preproposals for our fourteenth annual Conservation Grant Program. Preproposals must have a clear, measurable impact on the conservation of wildlife and/or habitats. Appropriate projects include proposals for research and/or the implementation of a conservation management plan (including habitat restoration). Proposals for workshops, public education, or non-applied research are considered to have indirect conservation impacts unless otherwise justified.
 
Qualifying conservation preproposals will be reviewed with special consideration given to projects that are local, in line with the Zoo’s conservation goals, and/or focused on species represented at the Zoo.
 
Our Mission: Sequoia Park Zoo inspires conservation of the natural world by instilling wonder, respect, and passion for wildlife and wild places.

Applicants must submit a brief preproposal to be invited to apply for the conservation grant. The preproposal allows the Conservation Council to verify applicants and their organizations and to determine if the proposal meets the grant requirements. The preproposal will require contact information, applicant/collaborator qualifications, authentication information, proposal title, species/habitat studied, and a summary of the proposed work and its conservation impact.
 
The open period for preproposals begins October 1, 2025 and closes November 3, 2025 at 17:00 PST. Preproposals must be submitted using the online form below.
 
If the preproposal is approved, applicants will receive a link via email to submit the full proposal. Application sections include the project proposal, its budget, letter(s) of support, and an optional supplemental section. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
 
Applicants must be affiliated with a conservation-related organization or an education institution.
 
Support is limited to projects that can be completed within two years with an end date no later than September 1, 2028. A progress report is due in May 2027. Due to grant review and award issuance timelines, we suggest a proposed start date no earlier than May 2026. Some progress must be made within the first year, otherwise the Council will request that the funds be returned. A post-project final report with photos will be required upon completion of the funded project. Funds will be granted up to $3,000. Applicants will be notified of award decisions once the approval process has been completed. We aim to make funds available by April 1, 2026.
 
One letter of support is required (two preferred). The letter(s) must:
    ·    Confirm the quality of your or your organization’s work,
    ·    Explain the project’s conservation relevance,
    ·    Include the supporter’s affiliation and contact information, and
    ·    Be written within the last year.
 
Examples of projects with a strong, clear, and measurable conservation impact (examples given of past projects funded by this grant):

     1) Determine methods for captive rearing critically endangered sunflower sea              stars from eggs in the lab for eventual release to the wild,
     2) Habitat restoration including planting native nectar food sources in specialized dune habitat for endangered local butterfly species, and 
     3) Protect (with paid ranger enforcement) and restore habitat where one of three populations of critically endangered Tarzan chameleons exist in Madagascar with population monitoring occurring throughout the project.
 
Examples of projects with a lower conservation impact:

     1) Educational programming in schools discussing conservation issues and
     2) Research project collecting general species information without a clear plan for integrating the data into conservation strategies or planning.
 
Please note that project methods requiring euthanasia of vertebrate animals will not be considered. The grant will not support indirect costs or university tuition. Applicants are limited to one proposal per grant cycle.
 
To guard against fraudulent applications, we will use technology to screen for fake proposals and inappropriate use of AI technology.
 
To learn more about Sequoia Park Zoo and our conservation programs, click here.
 
Any additional questions or clarification requests can be submitted to zooconservation@eurekaca.gov

Due to increasing scams and AI, the Conservation Council must screen for false applicants. To apply, the Council requires applicants to authenticate their organization and themselves. (e.g., Your information may be listed on the organization’s website, or you may be tagged/mentioned on your organization’s social media. Provide specific links to where you are mentioned. Otherwise, please provide other ways to verify your role in the conservation field.)

If you are invited to submit a proposal, one letter of support is required (two preferred). The letter(s) must:
·       Confirm the quality of your or your organization’s work,
·       Explain the project’s conservation relevance,
·       Include the supporter’s affiliation and contact information, and
·       Be written within the last year.