Grants for Grass Homeowner Application

2026 Season

Thank you for your interest in the Grants for Grass program. Project Big Wood financially supports homeowners in converting high-water-use, non-native landscaping to regionally adapted, drought-tolerant native vegetation — directly contributing to restoration of the Big Wood River watershed.

This year, Grants for Grass is structured around three tiers that reflect the diversity of properties across our watershed. Funding provides up to 50% of project costs, capped at $5,000 per property. Applications are reviewed individually by Project Big Wood staff, who will assess your property's location, proposed scope, and ecological benefit in determining eligibility and award level.

Program Tiers

Tier 1: Riverine

Properties directly adjacent to or within the riparian corridor of the Big Wood River or its tributaries. Projects focus on floodplain reconnection, bank stabilization, native riparian buffers, and erosion reduction.

Tier 2: Upland

Properties outside the immediate floodplain but within the Big Wood River watershed, including upland slopes, dry fields, and sage steppe areas. Projects convert high-water-use turf and ornamental plantings to native, drought-tolerant landscaping, improving infiltration and reducing runoff.

Tier 3: Urban

Properties in developed, urban, or suburban areas of the watershed. Projects emphasize demonstration landscapes, native plant conversions, public visibility, and community-scale water savings and pollinator habitat.

Your property's tier will be determined by Project Big Wood upon application review. You do not need to self-identify a tier.

Please complete the following form to be considered for the program.

Applicant Information

First name

Last name

Phone

Are you the owner of the property for which you are applying?

Yes - I am the property owner

No - I am applying on behalf of the property owner or am a tenant

Grant funds are disbursed in coordination with the property owner. If you are not the owner, please provide additional context below. Owner authorization may be required prior to award.

Property Information

Property Address

Mailing Address (if different)

Is your property located within the Big Wood River watershed?

Yes

Unsure

Properties not located within the Big Wood River watershed are not eligible for this program.

How would you describe your property's location?

Riverfront or directly adjacent to the Big Wood River or a tributary

Floodplain or flood-prone area along the Big Wood River or a tributary

Upland — within the watershed but outside the floodplain

Sage steppe, rangeland, or dry upland habitat within the watershed

Urban/suburban — within an incorporated area or developed neighborhood

Unsure of location type

Select the best description. Project Big Wood will confirm tier assignment during review.

Is your property located in a mapped floodplain or flood-prone area?

Yes

Unsure

Refer to FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) or Blaine County floodplain maps if available. Unsure is a valid response.

Approximate total property size

Less than 1 acre

1-10 acres

More than 10 acres

Approximate area proposed for rewilding

Less than 500 square feet

500–2,000 square feet

2,000–10,000 square feet

More than 10,000 square feet (approximately ¼ acre or more)

Current Landscape and Practices

Describe the current state of your property’s landscaping:

Include details such as types of vegetation, lawn area, proximity to the river or streambank, any existing native plants, impervious surfaces, or known erosion or water quality issues.

Do you currently use any of the following on your property? (Select all that apply)

Lawn irrigation

Pesticides or herbicides

Fertilizers

Other

Are you currently practicing any conservation or sustainable landscaping methods?

Yes

Examples: low-water-use plants, organic practices, erosion control, rain gardens, bioswales, etc.

Are there currently weeds or invasive plant species present on your property?

Unsure

Yes

Examples: cheatgrass, Russian olive, tamarisk/saltcedar, knapweed, thistle, or other non-native invasives.

If weeds or invasives are present, have any control efforts been made?

Yes — ongoing management in place

Yes — past efforts, but not currently active

No — have not addressed yet

Not applicable

Are there any visible signs of bank erosion, sediment loss, or streambank instability on or near your property?

Not applicable

Yes

Project Goals and Interest

Why are you interested in rewilding your property? (Select all that apply)

Provide habitat for wildlife, pollinators, and insects

Replace invasive or non-native landscaping with native Idaho plants

Stabilize riverbanks or reduce erosion

Reconnect or restore floodplain function

Reduce water use and irrigation dependency

Reduce runoff and improve infiltration

Reduce pesticide and fertilizer use

Serve as a visible demonstration for neighbors and community

Other

What outcomes do you hope to see from this project?

How do you plan to maintain the project area over the long term?

Describe your capacity for ongoing stewardship, invasive species management, and plant establishment support.

Would you be willing to participate in any of the following? (Select all that apply)

Host an informal site tour for neighbors or program participants

Display educational signage about native landscaping or riparian restoration

Share your experience at a Project Big Wood community event

None of the above

These are optional and will be considered as part of the application review.

Grant Request

Grant Amount Requested (up to $5,000):

Funds are paid directly to the landscaping partner working with Project Big Wood. Award amounts are subject to review and budget availability. Tier 1 (Riverine) projects may be eligible for enhanced funding.

Do you have a preferred landscaping contractor or designer in mind?

No — I would like Project Big Wood to recommend a partner

Yes — name/company:

Are you willing to commit to a two-year follow-up with Project Big Wood for compliance and maintenance support?

Yes

A PBW representative will conduct two site visits per year for two years to ensure plantings are thriving and to provide guidance on any issues.

What is your anticipated timeline and preferred start date for this project?

Spring 2026 (as early as possible)

Summer 2026

Fall 2026

Flexible — no strong preference

This helps Project Big Wood coordinate with landscape partners and plan installation schedules.

Are there any known constraints that would affect your timeline?

Yes

Examples: HOA approvals, irrigation shutoff schedules, construction conflicts, permit requirements, etc.

Water Use

One of the core goals of Grants for Grass is reducing outdoor water consumption across the watershed. The following questions help us understand your current baseline and your capacity to document water savings over time.

Do you currently have the ability to track your outdoor water use?

Yes — I have a separate irrigation meter or controller with data

Yes — I can track usage through my utility bills

No — I do not currently have a way to track outdoor water use

Unsure

This may include a separate irrigation meter, a smart irrigation controller, or reviewing your water utility bills.

Are you willing to submit information about your water use before and after the rewilding project?

Yes — I am willing to track and submit water use data

Yes — but I would need assistance or guidance on how to do so

This data would be used by Project Big Wood to document program outcomes and watershed-level water savings. Data would be shared in aggregate and anonymized in public-facing materials unless you consent otherwise.

Additional comments or information about your property or interest in this project:

Acknowledgments

By signing below, I confirm the following:

I acknowledge that if selected, grant funds will be paid directly to the landscaping company collaborating with Project Big Wood.

I agree to site visits by Project Big Wood representatives as part of the two-year compliance and maintenance support plan.

I agree to allow Project Big Wood to document my project — including photographs and brief educational materials about native landscaping and riparian restoration — for use in community outreach, subject to prior coordination with me.

I understand that tier assignment, funding level, and final award decisions are made at the sole discretion of Project Big Wood.

Signature

Drawing mode selected. Drawing requires a mouse or touchpad. For keyboard accessibility, select Type or Upload.

Signed on:

Thank you for your application!

Project Big Wood will review all submissions and contact you with any questions. Applications are reviewed by Kristine Hilt and Amanda Bauman.

kristine@projectbigwood.org | projectbigwood.org

Yes, subscribe me to your newsletter.

Grants for Grass Homeowner Application

Applicant Information

Property Information

Current Landscape and Practices

Project Goals and Interest

Grant Request

Water Use

Acknowledgments

BEEN ON THE WOOD?

Submit an Observation

Project Big Wood

Stay in the Loop