BLM NM Recreation and Visitors Services | L19AS00058

Opportunity Information: Apply for L19AS00058

The BLM NM Recreation and Visitors Services grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number L19AS00058) is a discretionary funding program run by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), focused on strengthening recreation resources and visitor services on BLM-managed public lands and waters in New Mexico. The program recognizes that recreation and high-quality visitor services do more than improve the public experience; they also support local economies tied to tourism and outdoor recreation while helping conserve public land values. Funding is offered through cooperative agreements, which typically means recipients should expect substantial involvement and coordination with BLM staff during project planning, implementation, and reporting.

At its core, the opportunity is designed to help BLM work with partners to expand access and improve the quality, safety, and sustainability of recreation opportunities. Projects may aim to increase and enhance access to public lands and waters, including practical improvements that make it easier for the public to reach and use recreation sites responsibly. The opportunity also explicitly supports expanding hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreation opportunities, as well as improving recreational shooting opportunities where appropriate. A significant emphasis is placed on foundational work that makes recreation management more effective over time, including inventory, assessment, and planning efforts, along with improved on-the-ground management, administration, and monitoring of recreation areas and related resources.

The grant also prioritizes visitor-facing services that shape how people experience public lands. This includes enriched visitor services such as public information, interpretation, and education, which can cover signage, outreach materials, educational programming, and other tools that help visitors understand rules, resources, and stewardship practices. Another major theme is building community-supported partnerships in tourism and marketing, reflecting an interest in coordinated efforts with local communities and organizations to promote responsible recreation and align visitor use with community goals and capacity.

Safety and inclusivity are clearly stated priorities. The opportunity calls for projects that protect visitor health and safety, which can include hazard mitigation, safety messaging, site improvements, and other actions that reduce risk. It also highlights improving accessibility for persons with disabilities, signaling that proposals that remove barriers and improve equitable access to recreation sites and information are relevant and encouraged.

Trails and travel management are a central area of focus within the listed project types. The program supports improvements to both motorized and non-motorized trails, including trail construction and maintenance. Beyond physical trail work, it also encourages comprehensive travel and transportation inventory and assessment, along with planning, management, and monitoring, which are essential for sustainable route networks, resource protection, and visitor compliance.

In terms of logistics and funding structure, awards were expected to be made to roughly 21 projects, with an award ceiling of $150,000 per award. The opportunity was posted on May 14, 2019, and was open until July 31, 2019 (4:30 PM Eastern), with three submission rounds: June 14, July 15, and July 31 (each at 4:30 PM Eastern). The program is associated with CFDA number 15.225 and falls under the Natural Resources funding activity category.

Eligibility is broad and includes state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; other Native American tribal organizations; and nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions in the nonprofit category). This wide eligibility reflects BLMs intent to work with a diverse mix of partners capable of delivering on-the-ground recreation improvements, planning and monitoring support, visitor services, and community collaboration tied to recreation and tourism on public lands.

• The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BLM NM Recreation and Visitors Services" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.225.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 14, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 31, 2019 Open from May 14, 2019 to July 31, 2019, 430 PM EST Round One Applications Due June 14, 2019, 430 PM EST Round Two Applications Due July 15, 2019, 430 PM EST Round Three Applications Due July 31, 2019 430 PM EST. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $150,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 21 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for L19AS00058

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: