Invasive Species Program

BFWR is not currently accepting project proposals for funding. Please check back as the 2027 Request for Funding Proposals (RFP) and application dates will be posted soon.

Federally-recognized Tribes and Tribal Organizations may submit project proposals to the Invasive Species Program contact at their Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Regional Office. Project proposals are scored according to published ranking criteria, with the highest-scoring projects receiving funding.

Each application may request between $2,500 - $200,000 in project funding. Tribes and Tribal Organizations may submit multiple applications.

Detailed information on what to include in your project proposal, ranking criteria, and information on BIA Regional Office Invasive Species Program contacts can be found in the annual application linked below.

• 2026 Invasive Species Ranking Criteria and Application Process

Tulalip Tribes of Washington: Invasive Species Management Project

The Tulalip Tribes are successors in interest to the Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish and other allied tribes and bands signatory to the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott. Tulalip owned lands and tidelands in the Snohomish River Basin in Washington, including the Reservation, are becoming increasingly threatened by invasive plant and animal species that are detrimental to native terrestrial and aquatic species and habitats important to treaty retained resources. Invasive species can quickly become established and outcompete culturally significant animal and plant species in the region, including Dungeness crab and salmon, and the eelgrass beds they depend upon, as well as native wildflower meadows that provide high quality forage for deer and gamebirds. Prevention and management of invasive species boosts the vitality of culturally significant habitats and resources.

A section of knotweed on the Tulalip Reservation that is showing signs of dieback after herbicide application along with an educational sign highlighting Tulalip’s invasive plant efforts. (Photo credit: Tulalip Dept. of Natural Resources)

Through funds awarded by BFWR Invasive Species Program, the Tulalip Department of Natural Resources (TDNR) completed their Invasive Species Management Project in August of 2026. Project objectives focused on early detection and removal efforts for European green grab (EGC), New Zealand mud snails (NZMD), and terrestrial invasive and noxious plant species. Results include:

• Over 200 acres of Tulalip property inventoried and mapped for invasive plant presence, including over 50 acres of newly acquired property
• Over 10 acres of invasive plants treated with a variety of manual, mechanical, and chemical means
• Tribal youth assisted with English Ivy removal, removed downed tree material, repaired a lean-to structure, and helped stage materials for a new boardwalk to be installed. Interns and summer youth also participated in bi-monthly EGC molt searches.
• Over 5 acres of forest land thinned to promote forest health and native plant populations. 
• Roughly 3,000 native plants were purchased and installed across multiple Tulalip properties. 
• Produced informative videos for their website that covers invasive plant identification and treatment.

The Tribe collaborated with USDA and Washington State University (WSU) to develop educational signs with attached boot brushes that are installed at restoration properties accessible to tribal members to reduce the risk of spreading invasive plant material and seeds.

New Zealand mud snails were identified in a creek leading into Tulalip Bay. In collaboration with WDFW, educational signs were made to alert the public of NZMS presence, outlining decontamination procedures and warning of spreading vectors. The Tribe installed a freezer used to decontaminate recently purchased gear (e.g., waders and boots) to prevent the spread of NZMS by staff. 

Infestation of NZMS in a creed leading into Tulalip Bay.

A regional increase in EGC sightings in recent years indicated that it is urgent for the Tulalip Tribes to expand monthly monitoring efforts throughout the Reservation during trapping seasons. Two EGC were detected on the shores of the Tulalip Reservation during this project. In response, monitoring protocol was updated to include new trapping and detection techniques, including the addition of modified Mackay shrimp traps, and the use of lines, weights, and buoys. Through support from the BIA, Tulalip DNR designed, built, and implemented a passive habitat trap called a "crab slab". This design has since been adopted by several other tribes and partners throughout Washington, Canada, and Alaska. 

Tulalip’s own passive habitat trap dubbed the “Crab Slab”.

The Tribe's trapping efforts have expanded to 12 land-based monitoring locations through the use of a contracted team from the Washington Conservation Corps. Additionally, the use of a Tulalip research vessel has been secured, and six boat-based monitoring locations were added. Two videos on EGC early detection efforts are hosted on the TDNR website. In coordination with WDFW, Tribal staff developed apps on Quick-Capture and Survey123 to collect and report field data. The Tribe created and disseminated outreach materials and conducted several training sessions to community members and tribal fishermen on the detection and capture of EGC.

Post-detection trapping blitz in collaboration with WDFW. 110 traps were deployed for two days in the vicinity of the Tribe's first EGC capture.

EGC outreach flyer created for the Tulalip community, showing identification tips, reporting instructions, and a photo highlighting key features of the crab.