 Spotlighting the Work to Restore, Connect and Conserve 30 Percent of Lands and Waters by 2030�
News and Updates
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The Biden-Harris administration and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation�(NFWF) joined public- and private-sector partners to announce nearly $91 million in grants through the �to�support locally led projects that conserve, restore and connect habitats for wildlife while improving community resilience and access to nature. The 55 new grants announced will support landscape-scale conservation projects in 42 states, three U.S. territories and for 14 Tribal Nations, leveraging $50.7 million in matching contributions to generate a total conservation impact of about $141.7 million.
To streamline and centralize access to these funds, NFWF and partners worked together to establish the ATBC in May 2022 as a �one stop shop� competitive grant program for landscape-scale conservation and restoration projects that implement existing conservation plans across the nation. The 2022 ATBC request for proposals received an unprecedented response, with applicants submitting 527 proposals requesting a total of $1.1 billion. About one-third of the 2022 grants and funding will support projects implemented by Tribes, representing an unprecedented level of funding dedicated to Tribally led projects for a single grant program at NFWF in recognition that Tribal land stewardship is invaluable to conservation.�
The Department of the Interior announced nearly $10 million from President Biden�s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for 17 project sites to address legacy pollution and conserve ecosystems. The Department received a total of $1.4 billion to invest in ecosystem restoration efforts over the next five years, to build on proven projects, programs and partnerships that conserve our cherished wildlife and natural resources critical to supporting local economies, creating jobs and strengthening communities. Just over $68 million has been made available for fiscal year 2022. These investments also help support the America the Beautiful initiative and a key area of focus: creating jobs by investing in restoration and resilience.�
The Pennsylvania legislature has enacted a law creating the Pollinator Conservation Registration Plate and the Pollinator Habitat Program Fund. Through this program, sales of specialty pollinator license plates will support the migration of pollinators by creating native grass and perennial wildflower-filled habitats along Pennsylvania�s state highways. The Pennsylvania Pollinator Conservation License Plates will be sold for $38 in addition to the regular registration fee, $25 of which will be dedicated to the habitat program fund.�
In Executive Order 14072, the President called for the development of the first U.S. National Nature Assessment to help build a more comprehensive picture of the state of our nation�s lands, waters, and wildlife and the specific benefits that they provide. The assessment will look ahead at how nature might change in the future and identify opportunities for investments in nature to help achieve America�s climate, health, environmental justice, and economic goals. Public comment has been invited and eventual use of the first National Nature Assessment.���
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