NFWF's History in the Gulf

NFWF has more than two decades of experience as a conservation leader in the Gulf of Mexico. Since the 2010 oil spill, we have invested nearly $23 million in the region. Working with a wide network of conservation groups, we implemented a restoration plan that has helped to boost populations of sea turtles, shorebirds, seabirds, oysters and fish. Our investments continue to benefit species across the region.

Results

To date, NFWF’s actions in the Gulf have:

• Improved sea turtle hatchling success across 78 miles of priority Florida beaches.

• Projects have resulted in approximately 80,000-100,000 additional sea turtle hatchlings annually.

• Restored over 500,000 acres of wetland habitat to benefit hundreds of thousands of migratory waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds each year.

• Enhanced the capacity of 14 wildlife rescue facilities to treat injured marine mammals and sea turtles.

• Protected critical migratory bird nesting sites on 30 islands and beaches.

• Restored over 3.5 miles of oyster reefs, which in turn protect sensitive coastal habitat.

• Reduced by-catch of sea turtles as well as valuable recreational and commercial fish (bluefin tuna and red snapper) by providing 545 Gulf fishermen with special equipment.

 See a complete list of NFWF's Gulf projects to date.