; and (2) for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2018, such sums as may be necessary. 303. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Plant conservation programs The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation shall— (1) ensure that a robust program of activities specifically focused on the conservation and protection of native plants is incorporated into its existing programs and activities; and (2) provide a report to Congress on its implementation of this section. 304. Grants to support collaborative efforts to prevent endangered species status The Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 ( 16 U.S.C. 742a et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 13. Threatened and endangered plants (a) In general The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, shall support a program of collaborative grants to support efforts to prevent rare plant species from becoming endangered species and to encourage the recovery of endangered plant species. Awards pursuant to this section shall be made competitively in compliance with fully transparent procedures. (b) Preference Preference shall be given under this section to projects that involve collaborations between Federal, State, and local units of government working in collaboration with nonprofit organizations with knowledge and experience in rare and endangered plant restoration issues. (c) Authorization of appropriations To carry out the provisions of this section, there are authorized to be appropriated— (1) $54,000,000 for fiscal year 2018; and (2) such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years after fiscal year 2018. .