H-GAC has received a follow up grant from to the Houston Endowment to begin implementation of the Regional Conservation Framework approved by the Board of Directors in March 2021. The primary focus of this implementation phase, the Regional Conservation Initiative, will be to provide staff support to local governments, individually or in multi-jurisdictional partnerships, in pursuing funding for priority conservation projects.

H-GAC will be soliciting projects from local government partners and non-governmental organizations for inclusion on a priority project list. Projects that are supported by one or more local governments will be classified into three tiers:

Tier 1 – Projects that are ready pursue funding and are in close alignment with a major initiative of the Regional Conservation Framework.

Tier 2 – Projects that are planned or under development and are in alignment with a major initiative of the Regional Conservation Framework.

Tier 3 – Projects that are in early stages of development and may or may not be in close alignment with a major initiative of the Regional Conservation Framework.

A subcommittee of the H-GAC's Natural Resources Advisory Council will review candidate projects and recommend a list for Board approval on at least a quarterly basis.

H-GAC will allocate staff time to assist local sponsors in pursuing funding and related activities based on their tier. For Tier 1 and 2 projects, this could include support on application development, research and analysis, and convening partners and stakeholder. For Tier 3 project, staff support could include general guidance on project development and funding opportunities. Staff anticipates capacity to support between ten and twenty Tier 1 and Tier 2 projects and between twenty and thirty Tier 3 projects.

No action requested. For information only. (Staff Contact: Jeff Taebel)