Deadline: 03-Nov-2025
The Sequoia Park Zoo Advisory Group’s Conservation Council has announced the opening of preproposals for its fourteenth annual Conservation Grant Program.
Since the program’s launch in 2012, over $85,000 has been awarded to support projects that make measurable contributions to the conservation of wildlife and their habitats.
This year’s grants will continue to focus on projects with direct, tangible conservation outcomes. Eligible proposals include applied research, implementation of conservation management plans, and habitat restoration efforts. Projects such as public education programs or non-applied research will only be considered if their conservation impact is clearly demonstrated.
Special priority will be given to proposals that align with the Sequoia Park Zoo’s mission to inspire conservation of the natural world by instilling wonder, respect, and passion for wildlife and wild places. Projects that are local, align with the Zoo’s conservation goals, or focus on species represented at the Zoo will receive particular consideration.
The preproposal stage allows the Conservation Council to confirm eligibility and ensure the project meets grant criteria. It requires applicant and collaborator information, details about the species or habitat involved, and a concise summary describing the project’s objectives and conservation impact.
If invited to submit a full application, applicants will need to provide a complete project proposal, budget, and at least one letter of support confirming the quality of their work and the relevance of the project to conservation. Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed. Applicants must be affiliated with a conservation-focused organization or an educational institution, and only one proposal per cycle is allowed.
Funded projects can receive up to $3,000 and must be completed within two years, with a final deadline no later than September 1, 2028. A progress report is due in May 2027, and recipients are expected to begin work no earlier than May 2026. Projects that fail to make progress within the first year will be required to return the awarded funds. Upon completion, grantees must submit a final report with photos documenting their results. Funds are expected to be distributed by April 1, 2026.
Previous successful projects have included captive rearing of critically endangered sunflower sea stars for wild release, restoration of dune habitats to support endangered butterflies, and habitat protection for the Tarzan chameleon in Madagascar. Proposals that do not demonstrate direct conservation outcomes, such as general educational programs or non-applied research, are less likely to be funded.
To maintain the integrity of the program, all submissions will be screened for authenticity and appropriate use of technology. The Sequoia Park Zoo Conservation Council remains committed to supporting impactful, science-driven conservation work that protects biodiversity and sustains the natural world for future generations.
For more information, visit Sequoia Park Zoo.
