NFWF Announces New Emergency Coastal Resilience Fund
More than $48 million available to support coastal communities impacted by hurricanes Florence and Michael, Typhoon Yutu and wildfires in 2018 through building natural infrastructure resilience
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 9, 2019) –The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced the launch of the Emergency Coastal Resilience Fund to support projects that increase the resilience of coastal communities impacted by hurricanes Florence and Michael, Typhoon Yutu and wildfires in 2018.
The Emergency Coastal Resilience Fund, developed in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), will invest more than $48 million to support projects that strengthen natural systems at a scale that will protect communities and critical assets from the future impacts of storms, floods and other natural hazards. These investments will enable communities to withstand and recover more quickly from future events, while also enhancing important habitat for fish and wildlife populations.
Emergency Coastal Resilience Fund grant proposals are due November 12, 2019, and the full Request for Proposals can be found here.
An applicant webinar for coastal communities impacted by hurricanes Florence and Michael, and wildfires will be held September 4, 2019 from 1- 2 p.m. EDT. Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1011951320324698882
An applicant webinar for coastal communities impacted by Typhoon Yutu will be held September 10, 2019 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. EDT / September 11, 2019 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. ChST. Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/945736531121501185
In conjunction with the National Coastal Resilience Fund, which aims to benefit communities by reducing the impacts of coastal flooding, improving water quality, and enhancing the ecological integrity and functionality of coastal and inland ecosystems, Congress has provided this additional funding through the 2019 Emergency Supplemental (PL 116-20) for Title IX of the National Oceans and Coastal Security Act, allowing for the solicitation and funding of projects that relate directly to the consequences of Hurricanes Florence and Michael, Typhoon Yutu and wildfires.
Eligible projects must be located within counties that were declared a federal disaster as a result of Hurricanes Florence and Michael, Typhoon Yutu and wildfires in 2018. In addition, the entirety of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands qualifies under this funding opportunity. Those projects in declared counties that do not fall within NFWF’s National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) Coastal Areas must clearly demonstrate how they benefit communities within the coastal area.
The Emergency Coastal Resilience Fund will focus on increasing resilience of coastal communities within the designated geographies and funding decisions will be made based on regional circumstances, needs and priorities. The program will capitalize on existing state and local community plans, disaster mitigation plans and landscape-level information, including that provided through the Coastal Resilience Evaluation and Siting Tool (CREST), to inform where projects and activities will most protect communities from future disasters.
State, tribal and local governments, non-government organizations, and educational institutions are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity. Due to the emergency nature of these funds, NFWF and NOAA will primarily fund projects that are ready for implementation and provide the most accelerated and comprehensive outcomes to protect these communities.
About the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Chartered by Congress in 1984, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) protects and restores the nation’s fish, wildlife, plants and habitats. Working with federal, corporate and individual partners, NFWF has funded more than 4,500 organizations and generated a conservation impact of more than $5.3 billion. Learn more at www.nfwf.org.