National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Announces $100 Million in Restoration Projects for Gulf Coast

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announcement  of $100 million in additional funding for Gulf Coast restoration adds an array of projects beneficial for Gulf communities and the natural resources they depend on. Chris Canfield, VP of the Gulf Coast and Mississippi Flyway for Audubon issued the following statement:

“These investments by NFWF and the Gulf states in restoration of coastal habitats will accelerate the healing process underway in this unique and badly damaged ecosystem,” said Canfield. “Audubon will continue to work with state partners, NFWF and other funding sources to ensure that comprehensive measures for coastal bird restoration are fulfilled as part of the recovery of this environment.”

State-by-state breakdown of some of the investments made by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation that will benefit birds and people affected by the BP oil spill below:

• Florida received almost $1.5 million in this round to expand its partnership with Audubon Florida for shorebird conservation.       
• In Alabama, NFWF funded an assessment of Dauphin Island, one of the Gulf’s Important Bird Areas Audubon has worked to protect.  
• Louisiana’s Master Plan for coastal protection received an extensive planning grant to support barrier island restoration and diversions of the river to help rebuild wetlands, both critical environments.    
• Three of Texas’s many colonial waterbird islands will be the beneficiary of a restoration award by NFWF.      
• Mississippi will improve and expand coastal habitat through marsh creation near the home of Audubon’s Pascagoula River Audubon Center.