Regular Grants Program

The Desert Tortoise Council encourages activities and research that benefit desert tortoises and/or their habitats, provide information or service to the public, or address other appropriate conservation issues in manners consistent with the goals and objectives of the Desert Tortoise Council.

The Desert Tortoise Council will consider Grant Requests from qualified individuals or organizations for research or other activities on topics related to the biology, conservation, or management of desert tortoises; the development and dissemination of educational material about desert tortoises; or in support of other imperiled tortoises, turtles, and ecosystems. All Grant Requests are evaluated and awarded as funds are available, at the sole discretion of a majority vote of the Board.

Request for Proposals

Innovations for Improvement/Restoration of Desert Tortoise Foraging Habitat

The Desert Tortoise Council announces a request for proposals (RFP) for research projects targeted at developing innovations or methods designed to improve desert tortoise habitat restoration techniques. An award of $9,000 is available for the research project. The project must be one year in duration and conducted in the Mojave Desert within the Southern California Edison (SCE) service area (see attached map). Applicants should submit the attached grant request cover form and include a proposal that includes a project description, a detailed budget, professional references, and resumes of key project participants (see checklist). Appropriate projects include, but are not limited to, removal of Shismus and Bromus grasses, restoration of native forbs and grasses, research on diet use and type by desert tortoises, or other efforts related to improvements or restoration of desert tortoise foraging habitat. The project should be implemented over the 2020-21 winter growing season. A report of research outcomes must be submitted to the Desert Tortoise Council within 30 days following conclusion of the project.

The application window begins on July 1, 2020 and proposals must be received (PDF to email hidden; JavaScript is required) by August 15, 2020.