The last application round closed April 18, 2025, and will reopen by Spring 2026. If you have a project in mind and would like to discuss, please feel free to reach out!
Click here to download the mini-grant application.
For questions, contact s.shteir@macdnet.org
How to Apply
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include conservation districts, watershed groups, local and county agencies, school districts, etc. that are capable of managing federal funding. Proof of current liability insurance is a requirement and needs to be submitted with all applications.
Reimbursement and Reporting
All awarded projects shall be reimbursed for the awarded amount upon completion of the project and submission of a final report and invoice. Projects need to be completed and reported on within one year of the grant being awarded. Projects are not required to have a DEQ-accepted Watershed Restoration Plan, though priority may be given to projects in areas with approved WRPs.
Mini-Grant Final Reporting Template
Mini-Grant Reimbursement/Invoice Template
For more information, contact Seth Shteir, MACD Grant Manager, at s.shteir@macdnet.org.
Past Project Examples
Yaak River Water Quality Education and Outreach Program (2024)
Yaak River Water Quality Education and Outreach Program
To address the water quality issues of sedimentation and nutrient pollution in the Yaak River watershed, the Yaak Valley Forest Council implemented educational field days targeting the students of Yaak and McCormick Schools and their families. During these trips, participants visited two riverbank sites representing different stages of erosion and restoration and learned about topics such as nonpoint source pollution (NPS), its sources and effects, the importance of riparian areas, and low-tech process-based restoration methods.
Story Map of Living Sustainably in the Missoula Valley Rivers Ecosystem (2024)
Story Map of Living Sustainably in the Missoula Valley Rivers Ecosystem
Big Sky High School in Missoula partnered with Missoula Conservation District and the Clark Fork Coalition to educate engineering students about stream erosion issues and solutions. ArcGIS was used not only as a teaching tool in this curriculum, but also as the medium through which the students created Story Maps to visualize possible solutions to stream erosion.
Glacier CD Rolling Rivers Trailer (2024)
Glacier CD Rolling Rivers Trailer
Through the use of 319 Mini-Grant funding, Glacier Conservation District was able to acquire a Rolling Rivers trailer, improving their capacity to teach residents of their district about stream health and water quality issues.
Managing Horses for Water Quality in Western Montana (2024)
Managing Horses for Water Quality in Western Montana
This project successfully engaged horse owners in conversations about their impacts on water quality and provided practical BMPs to mitigate NPS pollution.
2024 Interpretive Signage Bike Tour (2024)
2024 Interpretive Signage Bike Tour
GWC hosted an in-person bike tour featuring local experts who shared their knowledge about water quality issues and watershed dynamics. The bike tour stopped at watershed interpretive signs and other relevant locations to discuss topics such as nonpoint source pollution, stream ecology, wetlands, irrigation ditches, and opportunities for community action.
Teton County Rain Barrel Workshop (2024)
Teton County Rain Barrel Workshop
Sun River Watershed Group (SRWG) and the Teton Conservation District (TCD) held a rain barrel workshop in Choteau, MT on June 29, 2024. Twenty-five attendees participated in a discussion about nonpoint source pollution (NPS), and home water conservation efforts including not over-watering their lawn, installing pervious surfaces, etc.
Connecting Big Hole Water Users: Water quality through water quantity (2024)
Connecting Big Hole Water Users: Water quality through water quantity
BHWC partnered with Butte-Silver Bow (BSB) Water Utility Division to host an informational exhibit and water filling station at the 2024 Montana Folk Festival. Together, our two organizations staffed the exhibit and informed festival attendees about the link between Butte’s water supply and the Big Hole River, current projects to increase watershed yield and resiliency to drought, the city’s plans for improving storage, and ways attendees can get involved.
Living in the Flathead Guide Outreach (2024)
Living in the Flathead Guide Outreach
The Living in the Flathead Guide was developed to empower landowners, residents, newcomers, and visitors throughout the Flathead watershed with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed decisions that protect water quality and promote environmental stewardship. As a free and accessible online resource, the Guide addresses various land and water management issues that contribute to nonpoint source (NPS) pollution.
