Program Specifics

FWP's Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP) is a state funded grant program for conducting projects that enhance, restore, improve or rehabilitate degraded wildlife habitat(s) across Montana.

WHIP projects should include:

• ecologically important wildlife habitat that will directly benefit from habitat restoration and conservation projects;

• a focus on species of conservation need;

• a collaborative approach through multiple partners and landowners ownerships;

• public access;

• and a plan to maintain restored habitats for future generations.

Funding

Up to $2M of Habitat Legacy funds are available annually for new WHIP projects. Grants, which are paid in the form of reimbursed expenses, may be up to five years in duration.

Advisory Council

The WHIP program is overseen by a citizen advisory council that is responsible for advising the department on program administration and for reviewing, ranking, and recommending proposed projects for funding.

Eligibility

All WHIP program requirements and eligible expenditures are defined in the Kelly Flynn Montana Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Legacy Act (MCA 87-5-800) and FWP administrative rules (ARM 12.9.16).

How to Apply

2026 Funding Opportunity

• Coming soon

Grant Guidelines

• Coming soon

WHIP Grant Requirements

Who can apply

Entities that have the capacity to administer grant projects and that are financially able to take on grant expenditures may apply to receive a WHIP grant. This includes:

• state, federal, and tribal agencies

• a municipal or county agency

• conservation districts

• 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or other organizations

• irrigation districts

• grazing associations

• noxious weed management districts

• and individual, either public or private

• other entities FWP considers appropriate for wildlife habitat improvement grant projects

Project Requirements

To qualify for a grant, a WHIP project must:

• create habitat uplift or net conservation gain for species of conservation need or restore, rehabilitate, improve or manage land or water as wildlife or aquatic habitat thrugh habitat improvement or conservation;

• enhance ecologically important wildlife habitats;

• have a reasonable probability of success and accomplishing anticipated or desired outcomes through appropriate planning and methodology;

• report on objectives and project progress/ competition to allow the department to evaluate overall habitat improvement project outcomes.

In addition to the eligibility requirements, the proposal ranking process will consider projects that:

• include funding commitments from multiple partners;

• involve effective collaboration across multiple land ownerships (public and private); and

• include public access

Submitting Grant Applications

• Coming soon

Grant Application Review and Approval

All applications will go through a competitive review, ranking, and approval process with the WHIP Advisory Council (see Advisory Council section). Grant hearings are held annually and the Council makes funding recommendations to FWP. Incomplete applications may not be considered for funding. 

FWP Reports to Environmental Quality Council

• 2024 EQC Report for WHIP (PDF)

• 2022 EQC Report for WHIP (PDF)

• 2020 EQC Report for WHIP (PDF)

• 2018 EQC Report for WHIP (PDF)

Program Contact

Andrew Amidon, WHIP Coordinator

andrew.amidon@mt.gov or 406-444-7291