National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants

The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants Program annually provides grants of up to $1 million to coastal and Great Lakes states, as well as U.S. territories to protect, restore and enhance coastal wetland ecosystems and associated uplands. The Program is funded by revenues collected from excise taxes on sport fishing equipment, electric motors and sonar, import duties on fishing tackle, yachts and pleasure craft, a portion of the gasoline tax attributable to motorboats and small engines, and interest on the fund, under the authority of the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950.

Eligible projects include the acquisition of real property interest in coastal lands or waters and the restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetlands ecosystems. 

Source of Funds

The Washington State Department of Ecology, in partnership with the Stillaguamish Tribe, will protect and restore 537 acres of coastal wetlands that will benefit a wide range of fish and wildlife species. Credit: Washington State Department of Ecology

Funds for the Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant are provided annually from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) receives 18.5% of the funds in the Trust Fund after deducting amounts for WSFR administration, the Multistate Conservation Grant Program, the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council and fisheries commissions.

The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants receive 15% of the 18.5% for CWPPRA.

The funds deposited into the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund are derived from excise taxes on sport fishing equipment, electric motors and sonar, import duties on fishing tackle, yachts and pleasure craft, a portion of the gasoline tax attributable to motorboats and small engines, and interest on the fund.

Grants

Coastal States receive funding though a national competitive process. State and U.S. insular area fish and wildlife agencies may apply for Coastal Wetlands Grants by contacting the specific WSFR Office or apply online at GrantSolutions.

The grant program is co-administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program and the Coastal Program.

2024 Awards

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Awards $10.8 Million To Protect and Restore Coastal Wetlands and Build Coastal Resiliency  

Projects in seven coastal states will improve wetlands for wildlife, coastal communities and recreation 

As part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s efforts to conserve and restore coastal wetlands, the Service is awarding $10.8 million to support 12 projects in seven coastal states to protect, restore or enhance over 2,000 acres of coastal wetlands and adjacent upland habitats under the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program. Coastal wetlands are vitally important in protecting us from floods, filtering our water, supporting recreation and local economies and providing habitat for fish and wildlife. Despite their importance, there has been a steady loss of coastal wetlands. 

State, local and Tribal governments, private landowners, conservation groups and other partners will contribute $10.2 million in additional funds to support these projects. These grants have wide-reaching benefits for local economies, people and wildlife – using nature-based solutions to boost coastal resilience, reduce flood risk, stabilize shorelines and protect natural ecosystems. Protecting and restoring coastal wetland habitats is critical for hundreds of fish, wildlife and plant species and the many coastal communities that depend on these ecosystems.

Read the news release

For More Information

Read the online Guidance 

Download the printable Factsheet

National Coordinators

Chris Darnell

Lauren Ramos

Paul VanRyzin

Regional Contacts

  • Pacific Region 1: Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam and the Pacific Trust Territories

    Chris Swenson

    Holly Freifeld

Reference Documents

Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States

Ecology of Maritime Forests of Southern Atlantic Coast

Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977

National Wetlands Priority Conservation Plan

Audience

Government or Government Representative - State Government

Get Started

The Funding Opportunity Announcement and application instructions for the 2024 National Coastal Wetland Conservation Grant Program can be found online at GrantSolutions or in the downloadable PDF. 

The application announcement will be available February 2023. The application due date will be June 30, 2023. 

Apply via GrantSolutions 

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