Up to $1 million available for community-led bear conflict prevention
A grizzly bear is seen in a file photo.
Up to $1 million in grant funding has been allocated to support community-led, non-lethal carnivore conflict prevention tools in Montana’s bear country.
Montanans living and working around grizzly bears are invited to apply for funding to help their communities adopt bear-resistant infrastructure and public education initiatives aimed at reducing human-wildlife conflicts.
The Montana Community-Bear Conflict Prevention Efforts Fund is part of a broader public-private partnership that is providing resources to ranchers, farmers, and communities to expand the use of non-lethal wildlife conflict prevention tools. Funding is provided through the America the Beautiful Challenge grant program administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and awarded to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
The grant program is being administered by Heart of the Rockies Initiative, a Montana nonprofit organization focused on private land conservation in the Rocky Mountain region and supporting landowners in their efforts to sustain working lands and wildlife habitat.
“Investing in bear-resistant infrastructure and education is one of the smartest ways to prevent conflicts,” said Steve Primm, Conflict Reduction Manager at Heart of the Rockies Initiative. “As grizzly populations expand, more communities are learning what it takes to live and work alongside them. This program is intended to adopt the community-led tools that are most proactive and effective at increasing safety for bears and humans.”
Eligible applicants include tribal, county, and municipal governments, school districts, and nonprofit organizations. These grants operate on a reimbursement basis, covering costs incurred by recipients for the following community investments:
Bear-resistant waste solutions – Purchase and distribution of bear-resistant garbage cans, dumpsters, grease traps, and food storage lockers.
Infrastructure improvements – Establishing or upgrading rural transfer stations to better secure attractants.
Public outreach and education – Developing educational materials and programs to increase public awareness about bear safety.
Electric fencing – Installing portable or permanent electric fencing and electric drive-over mats to protect orchards, compost piles, garbage, livestock, and grain storage.
Program support – Funding staff time dedicated to community-led conflict reduction and education efforts. Applicants may request a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $150,000.
In addition to supporting community-led projects, these resources are being deployed to assist agricultural producers and landowner-led groups adopt and expand conflict prevention strategies such as carcass removal programs, electric fencing, and range rider initiatives.
The application deadline for the first round of funding is March 24, 2025. Communities and organizations interested in applying can find more details and project guidelines at heart-of-rockies.org.