Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program Grants

The Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program, known as WHIP, is administered by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) as a federal grant program specifically designed to conduct noxious weed management with the goal of restoring wildlife habitat across ecologically significant landscapes. The program aims to support projects that address direct threats from invasive noxious weeds, promote recovery of native plant communities, and contribute to the long-term health and functionality of critical wildlife habitats. WHIP funding is intended for projects that utilize a landscape-scale or watershed-scale approach and actively involve multiple partners and landownerships. Projects must focus on ecologically important wildlife habitats currently threatened by invasive weeds. Successful projects should also maintain or restore native plant communities following weed management activities and must ensure public hunting access on the treated lands. The overarching goal is to achieve landscape-wide conservation benefits that contribute to Montana’s wildlife management priorities. The program makes available up to two million dollars annually in federal Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration funds. Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis and requires a non-federal cash match at a ratio of one dollar for every three dollars of federal funding requested. Projects may be awarded funding for up to five years, allowing sufficient time for long-term planning and ecological recovery. Eligible expenses under WHIP include herbicides, biocontrol agents, mechanical weed control, restoration seeding, certain grazing improvements, and project administration and monitoring. Eligible applicants include communities, noxious weed management districts, conservation districts, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, state, federal, and tribal agencies, and other entities deemed appropriate by FWP. All applicants must demonstrate administrative capacity and financial ability to manage the grant. Projects must follow the program requirements set forth in the Kelly Flynn Montana Wildlife Habitat Improvement Act and related administrative rules. Applications should demonstrate effective collaboration across multiple land ownerships and include clear plans for vegetation monitoring and reporting measurable habitat improvements. The 2025 WHIP application period opens on September 1, 2024, and closes on November 27, 2024. Applications must be submitted electronically via the Montana Grants and Loans (WebGrants) website. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Andrew Amidon, WHIP Coordinator, for guidance on project design and compliance with program requirements. Applications undergo a competitive review and ranking process conducted by the WHIP Advisory Council, which provides funding recommendations to FWP. Grant hearings take place in January, and successful projects are typically awarded funding and can commence by July of the following year. Contact information for inquiries and guidance includes Andrew Amidon, WHIP Coordinator, reachable at andrew.amidon@mt.gov or by phone at 406-444-7291. Comprehensive program guidelines, requirements, and application templates are available through the WHIP Grant Guidelines document. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with local county weed district coordinators for assistance with treatment planning and cost estimation. The program emphasizes effective partnership, landscape-scale impact, and transparent outcome measurement in its funding decisions.