BW Wells Application FAQ
Application questions
Can I apply for a B.W. Wells Stewardship Grant to buy some land?
No, this fund is not for land purchases. Another NCNPS program, the Alice Zawadzki Land Conservation Fund, awards grants for land purchases and these are typically for permanent protection of native habitat.
My application is late. Can I still submit it?
No, we only accept applications submitted by 11:59pm EST on September 1.
Will the NCNPS help me with my plantings if I apply for a grant?
No, NCNPS does not provide volunteers for a project as part of the grant award. Your project should have an adequate volunteer base, and we encourage you to seek collaborations/advice/support from various sources as you plan your project. That can include involving NCNPS members (maybe from local chapters) and obtaining information from the NCNPS website.
My group is not an official organization. Can we still apply?
Yes, you can. NCNPS will accept applications from any group of individuals. However, if there is no legal organization to receive the award, then the award check will need to be issued to an individual. That individual may need to contact their attorney for advice on reporting the award to the IRS as income. NCNPS does not provide tax advice.
Proposal questions
I don’t know what plants I am going to use in my native garden. Can I still apply for a grant?
A plant list is required when submitting a proposal, if the proposal contains a garden installation. This demonstrates to the committee the applicant has researched and planned their garden or restoration project, including the appropriateness of the species for the area and the availability of the plants for purchase. Given the unpredictable nature of the native plant trade, we understand if, when purchasing plants, some substitutions are necessary.
Can I include non-native plants in my proposals?
No, we do not provide funding for plants or seeds not native to North Carolina. This includes plants native to other areas of the Southeast, but not North Carolina. We would prefer applicants to also pay attention to the source of seeds/plants to purchase as local as possible.
Do I need to submit a design for my native garden?
No, it is not required, but we do encourage applicants to submit a design, even if it’s a scan or photo of a sketch on a piece of paper. This can be detailed, with exact plant placement, or a general layout depicting the approximate size of the area, planting groups (ie shrubs, mixed perennials) and other features. Design sketches often provide useful information not well conveyed elsewhere in the proposal.
If my proposal is for a natural restoration and not a garden, do I need to submit a design?
No, it is not required, but a sketch providing general details of the area to be restored, noting relevant geographical features, would be useful.
Does my native garden/restoration need to be accessible to the general public?
Free public access to a native garden or restoration area is not required, but some degree of accessibility, be it entrance fee or guided tour, is necessary for funding. This requirement does not apply to land management (prescribed burns, erosion control, etc) of natural communities and ecologically sensitive areas.
My budget is only one item, do I still need to submit a budget?
Even if your budget is simple with few items, please still make a separate section that contains an itemized budget with justification for non-plant/seed and soil items.