The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Tuesday announced the launch of the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund, a competitive grant and technical assistance program of $4.3 million that will provide new support for the protection, restoration and conservation of fish and wildlife habitats in the Delaware River Watershed.

The fund is now accepting grant applications through September 27.

Through the DWCF, NFWF will award Conservation Action Grants to nonprofit organizations; federal, state, interstate and local governments; Indian tribes; and educational institutions to implement on-the-ground restoration and conservation projects that achieve the goals of the framework.

Projects also will engage and equip the public to:

-- Support coordinated restoration and protection;

-- Facilitate resilience of natural systems;

-- Increase scientific knowledge, monitoring and research needed for successful project implementation;

-- Provide technical assistance for restoration and conservation; and

-- Conserve areas of regional significance in the Delaware River Watershed.

Congress provided funds to the FWS in fiscal year 2018 to leverage public and private funding to support the environmental and economic health of the Delaware River Watershed for boots-on-the-ground conservation projects — as outlined in the Delaware River Basin Restoration Partnership and Program Framework.

“We are pleased to be partnering with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to launch this conservation grant program in the Delaware River Basin that will improve the natural environment, economic health and quality of life for all citizens in the watershed,” said Wendi Weber, northeast regional director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “We look forward to getting these appropriated federal dollars on the ground to accomplish our shared conservation goals and augment existing efforts.”

“This new fund complements and enhances the incredible work already underway in the Delaware River Watershed,” said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF.  “We are excited to play a role in sparking an even bigger and broader conservation impact on the habitats and communities of the watershed.”

Visit the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund webpage for more information on how to apply.

NewsClips:

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[Posted: August 7, 2018]

8/13/2018