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NOAA Awards $600,000 to The Nature Conservancy To Restore Critical Marine Habitat and Protect Aquatic SpeciesWashington, D.C.—June 27, 2006—The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) today awarded The Nature Conservancy a $600,000 Community-based Restoration Program (CRP) grant to implement projects that will restore important marine habitat and protect aquatic species across the country. The announcement comes on the same day as a 10th anniversary celebration of CRP, a financial and technical assistance program that promotes strong partnerships at the national, regional, and local level to restore fisheries habitat. Across the United States, the loss and degradation of coastal habitats has harmed marine life and the people who depend on oceans and coasts for their livelihoods. But increasing conservation efforts and effective management can result in healthier oceans and coasts for the benefit of people and nature. "NOAA's goals for habitat restoration are best accomplished through strong community-based stewardship,” said retired Navy Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA Administrator. "The public’s active commitment to restoring fisheries resources is integral to our success. I commend NOAA Since 2001, the Conservancy has partnered with the NOAA Restoration Center to implement innovative conservation activities that benefit marine, estuarine and riparian habitats on both coasts of the country, as well as in the Gulf of Mexico and Hawaii. The Conservancy works with coastal communities, stakeholders and other partners to carry out conservation strategies that are tailored to local needs. These projects protect coastal and marine habitat, restore species that are important to ecosystem functions, remove invasive species, create shellfish spawning sanctuaries and re-establish water flows to estuaries. “As the Community-based Restoration Program celebrates 10 successful years, we are proud to continue our partnership with NOAA in restoring our country’s coastal waters,” said Lynne Hale, director of The Nature Conservancy’s Marine Initiative. “These waters are a critical resource for millions of Americans, as well as marine plants and animals, and NOAA’s support is essential to our effective conservation work.” To date, NOAA grants to The Nature Conservancy have supported 58 on-the-ground restoration projects in 17 coastal states in the U.S. Current projects identified for funding include oyster reef restoration on the Pacific, East and Gulf of Mexico Coasts, salt marsh restoration in Maine, clam and scallop restoration in New York and Florida, and coral reef restoration in Florida and Hawaii. The Conservancy connects people and ideas through the NOAA partnership, helping to build restoration expertise and knowledge around the nation. NOAA CRP works with organizations and governments to support locally-driven habitat restoration projects in marine, estuarine, and riparian areas. The program funds projects that offer educational and social benefits for people and their communities and provide long-term ecological benefits for fishery resources. Since 1996, more than 1,000 projects in 26 states, Canada and the Caribbean have been implemented using NOAA funding and leveraged funding from national and regional habitat restoration partners. Each year, NOAA awards approximately $950 million in grants to members of the academic, scientific, governmental, and business communities to assist the agency in fulfilling its mission to study the Earth’s natural systems to predict environmental change, manage ocean resources, protect life and property and provide decision makers with reliable scientific information. NOAA goals and programs reflect a commitment to these basic responsibilities of science and service to the nation for the past 36 years. For further information:
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