Zoo, Botanical Gardens and Aquaria

Applications are being accepted for grants under the Zoos, Botanical Garden and Aquaria (ZBGA) program.

Grants will be awarded for a three-year period commencing April 1, 2023 and expiring March, 31, 2026.

Applicants must be municipal or not for profit organizations that own, house and care for living or systematically organized collections of biological specimens and that primarily provide such services to the general public on a regular and predictable basis.

Eligible collections must meet at least one of the following definitions:
(a) preserved and systematically organized biological objects such as vascular and nonvascular plants, vertebrate and invertebrate animals and fossils which are interpreted in conjunction with living collections;
(b) living animals and plants which are cared for and interpreted for the public in artificial or substitute habitats as captives or transplants;
(c) natural habitats of New York State which are formally dedicated in perpetuity to be maintained as viable, natural ecological associations for wild animals and plants, and which are interpreted for the public.

Eligible organizations may include, but are not necessarily limited to: zoos, botanical gardens, arboretums, aquariums, bird sanctuaries, natural habitat preserves, natural science museums, and nature and environmental centers.

ZBGA is an eligibility grant program. All organizations that meet the minimum qualifications as defined in the Request for Applications (RFA) and all other applicable NYS funding requirements will be awarded.

Applications are required and must be submitted in the NYS Grants Gateway (mailed, emailed, hand-delivered or faxed submissions will NOT be accepted) no later than April 21, 2023, at 4pm EST.

Funds are made available through an appropriation from the NYS Environmental Protection Fund.

ZBGA Requests for Applications, Historical Expenditure Detail Report and ZBGA Expense Guide for Award Calculation and Reimbursement can be found here: https://parks.ny.gov/grants/zoos-botanical-gardens/default.aspx

For additional information contact the OPRHP Grants Bureau at: ZBGAGrants@parks.ny.gov