Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program

The Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program focuses on the stewardship and restoration of coastal, wetland and riparian ecosystems across the country. Its goal is to meet the conservation needs of important species and habitats, providing measurable and meaningful conservation and educational outcomes. The program requires the establishment and/or enhancement of diverse partnerships and an education/outreach component that will help shape and sustain behavior to achieve conservation goals.

Funding priorities for this program include:

• On-the-ground wetland, riparian, in-stream and/or coastal habitat restoration
• Meaningful education and training activities, either through community outreach, participation and/or integration with K-12 environmental curriculum
• Measurable ecological, educational and community benefits
• Partnerships: Five Star projects should engage a diverse group of community partners to achieve ecological and educational outcomes.

To date, the Foundation has funded more than 1,000 projects in 50 states, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands through this program. More than $30.6 million in grants has leveraged more than $96.1 million in other funds or donated services.