The Program Provides Opportunities for Collaboration
The Heritage Partnership Program is designed to provide opportunities to collaborate with eligible entities to fund projects that provide conservation and recreational benefits. Eligible entities include governmental agencies, Indian tribes, and non-governmental organizations (must meet the IRS definition of a 501c3). Concept proposals may be submitted at any time throughout the year and all funds are awarded externally. All projects must provide a conservation benefit and be eligible for Heritage funding, 17-296 – Definitions.
Projects must be completed within one year, following the state fiscal year July 1 – June 30 of the following year. Projects spanning up to two years may be considered based on biological windows and the scope of work. Project funding is provided on a reimbursement basis and cannot be used for personnel, salaries, employee-related expenses, in-kind, overhead, and graduate tuition or graduate stipends.
funding categories
Each year the Arizona Game and Fish Commission approves a set amount of funding per category. Funding amounts provided may not exceed the amount approved by the Commission.
Identification, Inventory, Acquisition, Protection and Management of Sensitive Habitat (IIAPM) – IIAPM is for projects that preserve and enhance Arizona’s natural biological diversity is budgeted $200,000 per fiscal year.
Public Access – Public Access is for projects that increase or maintain public access for recreational use and is budgeted $50,000 per fiscal year.
Urban Wildlife and Urban Wildlife Habitat (URBAN) – Urban is for projects that conserve, enhance and establish wildlife habitats and populations in harmony with urban environments and is budgeted $130,000 per fiscal year.
Current funding available – June 20, 2023
IIAPM – $163,639
Public Access – $47,500
Urban – $110,460
previously funded proposals
New Mexico Jumping Mice Ecology (2023)
Desert Pupfish Genetic Evaluation (2023)
Betty’s Kitchen Conservation Education (2022)
submission of concept proposals
Concept Proposals are accepted at any time by completing a Heritage Partnership Program Application, however, projects are subject to funding availability.
Heritage Partnership Program Concept Proposal Form
Interim Contact
Vanessa Bilodeau, Agreements and Contracs Administrator
623 236-7530 vbilodeau@azgfd.gov
annual reports to the arizona legislature
2023 Report to the Arizona Legislature
2022 Report to the Arizona Legislature
2021 Report to the Arizona Legislature
2020 Report to the Arizona Legislature
2019 Report to the Arizona Legislature
2018 Report to the Arizona Legislature
2017 Report to the Arizona Legislature
Want to Get Involved with Wildlife Conservation?
Volunteer your time, or donate to help us with conserving and protecting our wildlife. When you purchase a hunting or fishing license online, resources go back into wildlife conservation.
donate to wildlife conservation
With your help, we can continue to conserve & protect Arizona’s wildlife.
volunteer for projects
If you have a passion for wildlife and want to help us conserve and protect it, we’d love to have you on our team!