Course Type: Instructor-led classroom training 

Course Duration: 24 hours (3 days, in-person)

Course Contact: Heidi Nelson (heidi_nelson@fws.gov or 503-412-8637) or Mike Sawyers (michael_sawyers@fws.gov or 571-289-5821) 

Course Description: This course provides a basic knowledge of Federal requirements to submit, review, approve, manage/monitor, and closeout real property acquisition grants administered by the Office of Conservation Investment (CI). Topics include land valuation and appraisal standards, acquisition procedures, Uniform Act compliance, managing and monitoring real property assets, land as match, reporting, and disposal of real property.

Who should take this course: This course is targeted towards CI staff and applicants/recipients who apply for and manage real property awards under the WSFR-administered programs.  This may include State federal aid coordinators, fiscal staff, and real property specialists.

There is no prerequisite required to attend this course.  However, a basic understanding and knowledge of Federal financial assistance is generally required.

Course Objectives: The purpose of this course is to provide participants with a conceptual and working knowledge of real property and the administrative and programmatic requirements associated with Federal financial assistance awards.  The goal is to empower participants to more effectively manage real property award funds, reduce audit findings, improve compliance with administrative and financial rules and regulations, and promote national consistency throughout the Office of Conservation Investment-administered programs.  The objectives of this course are to increase participants knowledge, skills, and abilities related to:

• Compliance requirements of NEPA, Section 7, SHPO, and the Uniform Act.
• Writing acceptable project statements (narratives) for real property awards.
• Understanding the various types of real property interests.
• Identifying the appropriate valuation methods for determining reasonable cost for real property acquired with CI funds.
• Writing/submitting performance reports for land awards.
• Recognizing the recipient/subrecipient responsibilities for disposal of interests in real property acquired with CI funds or contributed as match for a CI award.
• Understanding the recipient's responsibilities for managing, monitoring, and inventory control of real property and conservation easements.

Course Availability / Enrollment: This course is taught once a year.  To register for a course, please click below on the link to the desired course. 

Land Grants Management held at the National Conservation Training Center (698 Conservation Way, Shepherdstown, WV.) - September 10-12, 2024.  Click here to register.  Registration will close on  June 30, 2024.

Tuition/Cost: Tuition is free (paid by CI).  Students are responsible for lodging, per diem, and all travel costs. For classes held at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) in Shepherdstown, WV, please refer to the NCTC campus/lodging rates for lodging costs (includes meals) and campus/shuttle for shuttle service cost/information. For classes held in other locations, students will be responsible for securing their own travel and lodging accommodations.

Accessibility: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to this course (event) for all participants. Please direct all requests for sign language interpreting services, close captioning, or other accommodation needs to Heidi Nelson (heidi_nelson@fws.gov or 503-412-8637).

Financial Assistance Toolkit: Persons attending the Land Grants Management course will learn to use a variety of resources, including the Office of Conservation Investment (CI) Financial Assistance Toolkit.  The CI Toolkit is an online collection of financial assistance laws, regulations, policies, and guidance related to the CI-administered financial assistance programs.  To access the Toolkit, please click here.