National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

Announcing a major boost for conservation in the Southeast 🐟 📢 Today NFWF and partners announced a record $7.7 million in grants awarded to protect and restore freshwater habitats in the southeastern U.S. This funding will improve water quality and connectivity, restore habitat and support landowners in implementing voluntary practices to improve stream health. https://loom.ly/JIDsZF4 The grants were awarded through the Southeast Aquatics Fund, a partnership between NFWF and USDA’s NRCS, USDA Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Southern Company, Nestle, Cargill and Altria. 📷: Bluehead chub

The Great Lakes are among the most important natural resources in the world, and they provide critical habitat for a vast array of plants and wildlife, including more than 200 globally rare species. It’s one of our major conservation concerns, and we work to keep the region’s immense network of coastal marshes, inland wetlands and forests healthy and accessible for wildlife and people alike. https://loom.ly/Uv1YwKo Sustain Our Great Lakes is a partnership between NFWF and Cleveland-Cliffs, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and USDA Forest Service. Significant program funding is provided by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), a federal program designed to protect, restore and enhance the Great Lakes ecosystem. 📷: Lake Superior

Big news for farmers and wildlife! 🐦🌾🦌 Today NFWF awarded $14.7 million in new grants to help agricultural producers implement voluntary conservation practices on farms and ranches across the country. These efforts will help farmers and ranchers improve soil health, water quality, carbon storage and wildlife habitat. Good for communities and wildlife! The grants were awarded through the Conservation Partners Program, a partnership between NFWF and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and The J.M. Smucker Co., with additional support from General Mills, Walmart and Sam's Club. Special thanks to our partners for their support on the largest slate for the program to date! Read more >> https://loom.ly/vNb3q8M 📷: Deer in soybean field

Did you know? 💡 Coral reefs are one of the world’s most valuable ecosystems in terms of ecological, economic and cultural capital. But recent reports indicate that 58 to 70 percent of coral reefs globally are threatened by human-associated activities and global bleaching events. Overfishing, boating and recreational impacts, and pollution threaten coral ecosystems and reduce their resilience to environmental stressors. We’re accepting grant applications to improve the health of coral reef systems through the Coral Reef Stewardship Fund. Learn more ➡️ ➡️ https://loom.ly/acuGskw Thank you to our partners in this effort, NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s Coral Reef Program, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and aramco Americas. 📷: Coral reef, Hawai‘i #coral #coralreef #biodiversity #ocean #conservation

Did you know? 💡 The swallow-tailed kite is a great indicator of healthy ecosystems. This #NationalBirdDay, we’re celebrating the restoration progress of these birds made possible through the Forestland Stewards partnership with International Paper. With funding from this partnership, we awarded a grant to American Bird Conservancy and Avian Research and Conservation Institute to track these iconic southeastern birds using GPS transmitters throughout their range in the southeastern U.S. This research provides crucial insights into their migratory patterns and habitat needs, empowering landowners and forestry professionals to create thriving habitats for kites and other wildlife. Together, we’re helping these magnificent birds return to their rightful place in our forests. 🌳 📷: Swallow-tailed kite near Naples, Florida

Some positive conservation news for the Chicago-Calumet River watersheds 🌱💚🌱 NFWF and partners announced six projects selected to receive $2.1 million in grant funding to enhance habitat and greenspace throughout the Chicago-Calumet region. Projects supported by these grants will protect and conserve fish and wildlife habitat, reduce stormwater runoff, engage most-impacted communities in restoration activities, and improve access to greenspace. We can’t wait to see the results! https://loom.ly/GQjCXYg The Chi-Cal River Fund is a partnership among NFWF and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), USDA Forest Service, BNSF Railway, Cleveland-Cliffs, Salesforce, Crown Family Philanthropies, Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Hunter Family Foundation, the The Joyce Foundation, and the Walder Foundation. 📷: Kayakers in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Shedd Aquarium. #chicago #river #conservation #environment #wildlife

The Long Island Sound not only provides economic and recreational benefits to millions of people, it is also home to more than 1,200 invertebrates, 170 species of fish and dozens of species of migratory birds. Today NFWF and partners announced more than $12 million in conservation grants to improve the environment of Long Island Sound, benefiting wildlife and communities in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New York. https://loom.ly/jB-Ub1g The grants were awarded through the Long Island Sound Futures Fund. Funding for the grant program comes from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of the Long Island Sound Study, with additional support from NFWF and the Zoetis Foundation. 📷: Least terns

Celebrate #WildlifeConservationDay by exploring how partnerships, like ours with International Paper, are making a BIG difference for wildlife and the planet! 🌳 Southern forests aren’t just beautiful—they’re biodiversity powerhouses, home to 3,000 plant species and nearly 1,500 species of birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. That’s why NFWF and IP are working hand-in-hand with forest landowners, providing the tools and resources they need to adopt sustainable forestry practices. Together, we’re protecting habitats, nurturing forests, and ensuring wildlife thrives for generations. 💚 📷: Longleaf forests hosts many species of birds -- including brown-headed nuthatch, red-headed woodpecker and yellow-breasted chat -- among other critters.

NFWF today awarded more than $1.2 million in grants to restore or enhance grassland, wetland, sage-steppe, and coastal habitats for birds in 4 states. The grants were awarded through the ConocoPhillips SPIRIT of Conservation program, a partnership between NFWF and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and ConocoPhillips. https://loom.ly/VFv91rY 📷: Roseate spoonbill

Today NFWF and partners announced $122.5 million in grants through the America’s Ecosystem Restoration Initiative: America the Beautiful Challenge. Sixty-one grants will support landscape-scale conservation projects across the country. Learn more >> https://loom.ly/1dZAcnY This year’s grants will benefit wildlife species and communities through the restoration of more than 31,000 acres, open 1,200 miles of stream for fish passage, put nearly 94,000 acres under prescribed fire management and improve grazing practices on more than 15,900 acres. 🙌🙌 Thank you to our partners in this effort, the U.S. Department of the Interior though the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the USDA, the United States Department of Defense, and Native Americans in Philanthropy. 📷: Elk herd in Grand Teton National Park