Lake Champlain Basin Program Seeks Proposals for Native Tree Nursery Projects 

Grand Isle, VT – The Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) seeks proposals for projects in the Lake Champlain basin that sell or grow native trees and shrubs for habitat conservation projects. 

This funding opportunity is intended to enhance the native plant supply available to local organizations for habitat conservation projects that benefit Lake Champlain. Awarded funding may be used for infrastructure investments as well as workforce development initiatives. 

Applicants should demonstrate or provide a viable business plan and describe how costs to local non-profits purchasing native plants will remain stable or be reduced or eliminated through use of this funding. 

Dr. Eric Howe, NEIWPCC Program Director of the Lake Champlain Basin Program, said, “Native tree nurseries play a crucial role in the work to protect and restore habitat in our watershed. From stabilizing streambanks and shoreline to improving habitat for native species, our shared conservation efforts are greatly bolstered by thriving local nurseries.” 

Projects awarded in the 2023 round of this opportunity are eligible for additional support in this competition. Approximately $1,000,000 is available to support awarded projects. Projects must address the Clean Water and Healthy Ecosystems goals of the LCBP’s management plan, Opportunities for Action. This grant opportunity is supported by funds awarded to Lake Champlain by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. 

Proposals are due at 5:00 PM EST on March 31, 2025. Awarded projects will begin work in November 2025. More information, including grant guidelines and applications, is available on the Lake Champlain Basin Program’s website at lcbp.org/grants.   

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The Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program coordinates and funds efforts that benefit the Lake Champlain Basin’s water quality, fisheries, wetlands, wildlife, recreation, and cultural resources. The program works in partnership with federal agencies, state and provincial agencies from New York, Vermont, and Québec, local communities, businesses, and citizen groups. NEIWPCC—a regional commission that helps the states of the Northeast preserve and advance water quality—serves as the primary program administrator of LCBP at the request of the Lake Champlain Steering Committee and administers the program’s personnel, finances, quality management and contracts. NEIWPCC is a program partner of LCBP. For further information, contact the Lake Champlain Basin Program, 54 West Shore Road, Grand Isle, VT at (802) 372-3213 / (800) 468-5227 or visit https://www.lcbp.org/.