U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NFWF, Funding Partners and Grantees Mark Major Milestones for the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund

Wilmington, Del. (December 9, 2024) – The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will join elected officials, funding partners and grantees to mark seven years of vital conservation projects made possible through the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund (DWCF).

The Delaware River Basin Conservation Act, passed by Congress in 2016, paved the way for the USFWS and NFWF to launch the DWCF grant program in 2018. The DWCF directly supports the goals of the Act by enabling federal, state, regional, and local partners to collaborate on habitat restoration and conservation efforts throughout the Delaware River watershed. The DWCF is funded through congressional appropriations to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with additional support from the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, AstraZeneca, and the William Penn Foundation. DWCF grants fund projects in four priority areas: restoring fish and wildlife habitat, reducing flooding impacting communities, improving water quality, and enhancing safe public recreational access.

Since 2018, the Fund has awarded $72.1 million to 239 projects, which generated $100 million in match, for a total conservation impact of $172.1 million. These projects will collectively restore over 26 miles of riparian habitat and nearly 77 miles of stream habitat, conserve and enhance 1,176 acres of wetland habitat, restore 121 acres of floodplain, improve 32,522 acres of forest habitat and open 6,141 acres for public access. In 2024 the DWCF funded a record 45 projects totaling $17.3 million in funding and nearly $20.7 million in matching funds. These projects go beyond environmental preservation, uniting communities to restore and protect our natural landscapes for future generations. Starting in 2021, funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) has helped support an additional 24 projects. Of the $26 million in BIL funds pledged to the program in 2021, more the $14 million has already been used to connect waterways, conserve habitats and get people closer to nature.

These achievements highlight the tremendous impact of the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund, demonstrating the power of collaboration and targeted investment in conservation. With over $172 million in total conservation impact, the DWCF is not only restoring critical habitats but also creating lasting opportunities for public access, creating new economic opportunities, and supporting environmental stewardship. Looking ahead, the continued success of this public-private partnership promises greater progress in preserving the unique resources of the Delaware River Basin for future generations. A complete list of the 2024 grants made through the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund projects is available here. For more information about NFWF’s Delaware River efforts, please visit www.nfwf.org/delaware. 

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, foundation and individual partners, NFWF has funded more than 6,800 organizations and generated a total conservation impact of more than $10 billion. NFWF is an equal opportunity provider. Learn more at nfwf.org. 

About the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov.

About the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service 
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that provides one-on-one, personalized advice on the best solutions to meet the unique conservation and business goals of those who grow our nation’s food and fiber. NRCS helps landowners make investments in their operations and local communities to keep working lands working, boost rural economies, increase the competitiveness of American agriculture, and improve the health of our air, water, and soil. NRCS also generates, manages, and shares the data, research and standards that enable partners and policymakers to make decisions informed by objective, reliable science. In simpler terms, NRCS’s focus is “Helping People Help the Land.” For more information, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov.

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Contact:

Rob Blumenthal, 202-857-0166, rob.blumenthal@nfwf.org