The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (Title III of P.L. 101-646) expands the administration of Federal grants to acquire, restore, and enhance wetlands of coastal States and the Trust Territories. Since enactment of the law in 1990, the Service has been working with the States to acquire, restore, manage, or enhance coastal wetlands through a matching grants program. To date, about $75 million in grant monies have been awarded to 25 coastal States and one U.S. Territory and over 93,000 acres of coastal wetlands have been acquired, protected, or restored.
Unfortunately, Texas has one of the highest rates of coastal erosion in the country. That's why the Texas Legislature created the Coastal Erosion Planning & Response Act and put the General Land Office in charge of its administration. The Coastal Erosion Fund will provide $15 million over the next two years to fend off the forces eroding Texas beaches.
Enacted in 1989, in part, to support the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act's purpose is to encourage voluntary, public-private partnerships to conserve North American wetland ecosystems. It establishes an infrastructure and provides a source of funding to accomplish that end. For those who have a project in mind that would result in the obtaining of a real property interest in or the restoration, management, or enhancement of a wetland ecosystem to benefit wildlife, the Act may be just what the conservation doctor ordered. The Act created a grants program to help support partners' conservation activities. Anyone can apply for a grant at anytime, but certain criteria must be met to have a project funded.
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation funds projects to conserve and restore fish, wildlife, and native plants through challenge grant programs. The Foundation awards challenge grants to projects that: Address priority actions promoting fish and wildlife conservation and the habitats on which they depend; Work proactively to involve other conservation and community interests; Leverage Foundation provided funding; and Evaluate project outcomes.
Pre-proposal Deadline: June 1 and October 15, annually.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with
others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and
their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
All images Credit to and Courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service unless specified otherwise.
Last updated:
October 30, 2012
