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.
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.
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.
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).
2026 Funding Opportunity May 18 - June 19
Visit WebGrants to apply
Grant Guidelines
WHIP Fact Sheet (PDF)
WHIP Guidance Document (PDF)
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
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
Grant applications must address how projects would 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 through habitat improvement or conservation. All applications must contain the following criteria:
the name, address, and telephone number of the project sponsor, project manager, and liaison (if different from the manager);
the title or name of the proposed project;
a description of the proposed project, including measurable objectives;
the total grant amount requested;
the location and size (area) of the proposed project and maps depicting the specific location of the project area, and ownership of participating lands;
a brief description of the history and background of the project;
a list of the species of conservation need expected to benefit from habitat improvement projects and a description of how those species are expected to benefit;
a description of the need and urgency of the proposed project, including details of how the project would do one or more of the following:
improve, conserve, protect, or maintain terrestrial or aquatic habitats;
water enhancement projects to benefit aquatic habitat and allow for other watershed enhancements that benefit fish, wildlife, and water conservation;
improve, maintain, or restore range conditions and increase drought resilience;
address and mitigate detrimental impacts to wildlife habitat and the environment, and improve the condition of the land due to noxious weeds, soil disturbance, or loss of diverse habitat communities;
mitigate conflicts and reduce the potential for disease transmission between wildlife and domestic livestock;
support activities and employees of the state tribal wildlife programs or create habitat uplift and net conservation gain for species of conservation need;
a description of the measurable objectives of the project;
a description of public access to participating lands within the project area if public access is provided as a part of the proposal;
any other information deemed relevant by the department, which is included in the project application;
a funding plan as described in (2);
a timeline and schedule for completion of the proposed project, including start dates and expected completion dates; and
a statement that the project sponsor, if the grant receives approval, is willing to enter a contract with the department for utilization of grant funds and required documentation, reporting, and monitoring.
The funding plan must include the following:
the amount of funding contribution requested from the Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program, and the total amount of funding and in-kind contributions necessary to complete the project;
a breakdown of the cost components used to estimate the funding request;
a timeline detailing expected funding needs for the duration of the project, including any advance payments that may be requested; and
If multiple partners are involved in a proposed project:
a list of partners and their respective cash commitments ;
a list of leveraged funds and in-kind contributions; and
signed letters of commitment from each funding partner that identifies their role in the partnership, the source and amount of funds committed, and other in-kind contributions toward the proposed project.
Grant funds may not be used to acquire perpetual easements or lands in fee title.
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.
2024 EQC Report for WHIP (PDF)
2022 EQC Report for WHIP (PDF)
2020 EQC Report for WHIP (PDF)
2018 EQC Report for WHIP (PDF)
Andrew Amidon, WHIP Coordinator
andrew.amidon@mt.gov or 406-444-7291