INTRODUCTION
Bring Back the Natives (BBN), administered in New Jersey through the
Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program,
is a cooperative effort between the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
(Foundation), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management,
USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and Trout Unlimited to
restore native aquatic species and their habitats through local and
regional partnerships. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's
New Jersey Field Office implements this program throughout New Jersey.
Under BBN, the Foundation matches federally funded challenge grants
with contributions from private foundations, corporations, individuals,
state and local governments, and non-profit organizations for conservation
projects.
GOALS
The goals of the BBN program are to: (1) restore aquatic species
to their historic range; (2) improve and enhance aquatic and riparian
habitats to support native fish species; (3) restore the health
of aquatic systems to benefit native species in the Nation's waters
and watersheds; and (4) develop conservation partnerships between
federal and non-federal entities for restoration of aquatic systems.
AREAS IN NEED OF RESTORATION
Areas with the highest restoration potential in New Jersey include:
waterways with dams or spillways currently impeding migratory fish
passage; fish nursery areas; grazed and urban riparian areas; trout
streams; State reservoirs; and previously disturbed waterways supporting
native fish species. However, any project meeting the program's
goals and guidelines is eligible. In addition to native fish species,
BBN provides the opportunity to restore habitat for native mussel,
invertebrate, and amphibian species.
HOW TO ESTABLISH A PROJECT
If you are interested in BBN please contact the U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service's New Jersey Field Office. Proposed projects are
evaluated for restoration potential, available matching funds, and
the program's goals and guidelines. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife
Service will help develop and submit grant proposals for qualifying
projects, but projects selected by the Foundation must match or
exceed federal funding with non-federal contributions. Matching
funds can be monetary contributions or in-kind services such as,
labor, machinery, or materials. If the Foundation selects
the project, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will administer
the grant and provide technical assistance. The Foundation
accepts BBN project proposals on a continuing basis.
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