The Desert Tortoise Council aims to benefit desert tortoises and their habitats, offering information and services to the public, and addressing relevant conservation issues in alignment with its goals and objectives.
The Innovations for Conservation of Desert Tortoise Populations or Habitat RFP is a grant from the Desert Tortoise Council intended for organizations or individuals engaged in on-the-ground conservation efforts that positively impact desert tortoise populations or their habitats. This encompasses actions such as habitat restoration, subsidized predator control, the installation of tortoise-excluding road fencing, and other initiatives aimed at population augmentation or habitat improvement. Research into the efficacy of these conservation actions is also supported. The grant offers $9,000 for conservation efforts or research projects that must be implemented and completed within the current year, and within the Mojave Desert located in the Southern California Edison service area. Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive proposal including project description, budget, professional references, and resumes of the team involved. Successful projects must report their outcomes to the Desert Tortoise Council and the grant recipient is expected to present their findings at a future Desert Tortoise Council Annual Symposium.