National Coastal Wetlands Conservation
The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act of 1990 established the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program, which is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Through this program, the FWS provides matching funds through a national, competitively awarded grant process for projects that acquire, restore, and enhance the wetlands of coastal states and trust territories.
Projects in states that border the Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and Great Lakes are eligible for funding with the exception of Louisiana, which has its own coastal wetland conservation program authorized under the same act. Projects in the trust territories and commonwealths of the U.S. are also eligible. Projects are given priority if consistent with the criteria and considerations outlined in the National Wetlands Priority Conservation Plan; located in states with dedicated funding for programs to acquire coastal wetlands and open spaces; are located in maritime forests on coastal barrier islands; benefit endangered species; encourage partnerships; or benefit other ongoing conservation projects.
For further information, please access the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program page.
