Apply Now
The 2024 Sentinel Landscapes Designation Cycle is now open! This webpage includes information on eligibility for prospective sentinel landscapes and how to apply. If you have questions on the designation cycle, please contact FCC@sentinellandscapes.org.
Overview
The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership is a coalition of federal agencies, state and local governments, and non-governmental organizations that work with landowners and land managers to advance sustainable land use practices around military installations and ranges. Founded in 2013 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Defense (DOD), and Department of the Interior (DOI), the partnership’s mission is to strengthen military readiness, conserve natural resources, bolster agricultural and forestry economies, increase public access to outdoor recreation, and enhance resilience to climate change.
The Sentinel Landscapes Federal Coordinating Committee (FCC), made up of representatives from the USDA, DOD, and DOI, awards designations to new sentinel landscapes on a biennial basis through a competitive application process. A sentinel landscape is anchored by at least one military installation; encompasses agricultural and forestry lands; and would significantly benefit from natural resource restoration projects such as water quality and quantity improvement, disaster risk reduction, or wildlife habitat enhancement. Sentinel landscape designation provides a myriad of benefits for local partnerships, including support to hire a sentinel landscape coordinator and offering priority consideration for certain federal funding opportunities.
How to Apply
All parties interested in applying for a sentinel landscape designation must submit an expression of interest to FCC@sentinellandscapes.org by 11:59 PM in your local time zone on July 27, 2023. In Fall 2023, members of the FCC will notify applicants regarding whether they have been invited to submit a full proposal to pursue designation. Applicants who are selected will have at least 60 business days to submit their full proposals. The FCC will announce the designation of new sentinel landscapes in April 2024.
Expression of Interest
In order to be considered for submitting a full proposal to pursue sentinel landscape designation, complete and submit this expression of interest form to FCC@sentinellandscapes.org by 11:59 PM local time on July 27, 2023.
Click here for the Expression of Interest form.
Application Guidance
Instructions for the 2024 Sentinel Landscape Designation Cycle and details on evaluation criteria that reviewers will use to assess proposals.
Click here for the application guidance.
Attachment A
Additional materials referenced in the application guidance which will be helpful in completing a competitive expression of interest.
Click here for Attachment A.
Have questions about your application?
Join FCC representatives on June 21 at 1 pm ET for a live application help session webinar. To join the webinar, visit https://bah16f18.adobeconnect.com/rwchzgq6hpfi/.
If you have suggestions for questions the FCC might address on this webinar, submit them to FCC@sentinellandscapes.org.
Eligibility
Any entity whose mission aligns with or otherwise supports the goals of the Sentinel Landscapes Partnership is eligible to apply. Examples of eligible entities include but are not limited to: federal agencies; state and local governments; Federally Recognized Tribes, Native Hawaiian Organizations, and other Indigenous Communities (including state-recognized tribes and Alaska Native Corporations); for-profit and not-for-profit organizations or associations with conservation, agricultural, or silvicultural missions; municipal water treatment entities; water irrigation districts; and soil conservation districts.