The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced $3 million in grants through its Southeast Aquatics Fund to restore aquatic habitats and support native freshwater species across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
The funding will leverage $1.9 million in matching contributions, bringing the total conservation impact of the eight competitively awarded projects to $4.9 million. The Southeast Aquatics Fund is a public-private partnership supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Altria Group, and Southern Company.
The projects will employ a range of conservation strategies to restore and enhance freshwater ecosystems in one of the world’s most biodiverse aquatic regions. Partners will work with agricultural and forest landowners to implement voluntary conservation practices designed to improve water quality and quantity, enhance stream connectivity, and strengthen habitat conditions for fish and other aquatic life.
Species expected to benefit include imperiled freshwater mussels and fish such as the trispot darter and Alabama rainbow mussel, as well as popular game fish, including brook trout. Freshwater mussels in Southern watersheds have experienced steep declines, and one project in this year’s slate will focus on reducing sedimentation to support the recovery of villosa mussels. The effort will include propagation and stocking of endemic mussels, along with monitoring to assess how restoration affects mussel and fish populations, with the goal of informing conservation approaches in similar watersheds.
Three of the funded projects advance a partnership between NFWF, the U.S. Forest Service, and state foresters in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi. Supported by RESTORE Council funding, these initiatives are designed to improve water quality entering the Gulf through sustainable forest management.
In Florida’s Panhandle, one project will enhance the ecological function of swamp systems. In Mississippi, one initiative will create partnerships with major timber landowners, while another will apply nature-based solutions to restore streambanks and improve water quality.
Several projects also provide technical assistance to landowners to improve instream habitat conditions and soil health. Voluntary conservation practices, including rotational grazing, fence installation, and forest management, will be implemented across more than 240,000 acres. These measures are intended to reduce nutrient and sediment runoff that can degrade water quality and harm sensitive aquatic species.
Launched in 2017, the Southeast Aquatics Fund supports watershed-based restoration and improved land management to strengthen aquatic systems and secure populations of native freshwater species. Including this year’s awards, the program has distributed $22.2 million across 69 conservation projects.
Founded in 1984 and chartered by Congress, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has funded more than 23,300 projects since its inception, generating a total conservation impact of more than $11.3 billion.
KEY QUOTES:
“The Southeast is home to some of the most biodiverse rivers and streams in the world. The grants announced today will advance the voluntary conservation of an incredible array of aquatic species, while also ensuring that landowners have options and resources needed to improve management of the forests, streams and other wildlife habitats under their stewardship.”
Jeff Trandahl, Executive Director And CEO, National Fish And Wildlife Foundation
“Clean rivers and streams are vital to the Southeast’s fish, wildlife, and communities. By working hand-in-hand with landowners and local partners, we’re improving water quality and restoring habitat in ways that benefit people and wildlife. Together, we are helping ensure a legacy of voluntary conservation on working lands for generations to come.”
Mike Oetker, Regional Director, U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service
“We are proud of our 22-year partnership with NFWF including the work accomplished because of the Southeast Aquatics Fund. Advancing the cutting edge of aquatic conservation in important places matters. It’s exciting to see such great progress.”
Jesalyn McCurry, Voluntary Conservation Manager, Southern Company
“The Southeast Aquatics Fund represents an enduring partnership that continues to promote healthy forests, and conserve aquatic habitats throughout the South. Our Southern forests support incredible biodiversity and provide clean and abundant drinking water for communities spanning the entire region. Partnerships positively impact our conservation efforts across forests and waters.”
Ken Arney, Regional Forester, USDA Forest Service
“This investment is a huge step in our mission to work with private landowners to keep their forests as forests and bring back the amazing plant and wildlife of the Cumberland Plateau. We look forward to working alongside NFWF to ensure these projects provide lasting benefits for years to come.”
Aubrey J.D. Bettencourt, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service
