View of San Francisco Bay from Ring Mountain Preserve in Corte Madera, California.
Credit: Joanna Gilkeson/USFWS
February 5, 2024 - SACRAMENTO, Calif. — As part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s efforts to conserve and restore coastal wetlands, the Service is awarding more than $1.3 million to support two projects in Marin County to protect, restore or enhance over five acres of coastal wetlands and adjacent upland habitats under the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program. Coastal wetlands are vitally important in protecting us from floods, filtering our water, supporting recreation and local economies and providing habitat for fish and wildlife. Despite their importance, there has been a steady loss of coastal wetlands.
Partners will contribute $1.3 million in additional funds to support these projects in California. These grants have wide-reaching benefits for the local economy, people and wildlife – using nature-based solutions to boost coastal resilience, stabilize shorelines and protect natural ecosystems. Protecting and restoring coastal wetland habitats is critical for fish, wildlife and plant species and the many coastal communities that depend on these ecosystems.
“Coastal wetlands are important natural infrastructure systems protecting communities from the effects of climate change by mitigating the devastating impacts of storms, invasive species and sea-level rise,” said Service Director Martha Williams. “The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants fund projects that help recover coastal-dependent species, enhance flood protection and water quality, provide economic benefits and increase outdoor recreational opportunities for our coastal communities.”
The 2024 grants will help support recovery of threatened and endangered species, provide economic benefits to coastal communities and increase outdoor recreational opportunities. Additionally, the grants will enhance flood protection and water quality. States receiving funds this year are California, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Texas and Washington.
Projects selected for funding in California:
Chicken Ranch Beach Wetland Restoration – California State Coastal Conservancy
Marin County, CA - $812,575
This funding will support the enhancement of four acres of intertidal wetland and riparian habitat in a historic coastal lagoon along the Tamales Bay shoreline, adjacent to Chicken Ranch Beach in Marin County. This funding will be leveraged with $413,900 in cost share funding to complete the project.
Lower College of Marin Corte Madera Creek Restoration - California State Coastal Conservancy and Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District
Marin County, CA - $575,000
This funding will support the restoration of approximately 1.5 acres of aquatic, tidal, transition zone and riparian upland habitat at the mouth of Corte Madera Creek in northern San Francisco Bay. The habitat was previously degraded by channelization for flood control. This funding will be leveraged with $966,128 in cost share funding to complete the project.
The Service annually awards grants of up to $1 million to states and territories based on a national competition, which enables states to identify and address their highest conservation priorities in coastal areas. Since 1992, the Service has awarded more than $500 million in grants under the program.
More information is available online at: https://www.fws.gov/service/national-coastal-wetlands-conservation-grants
The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program is administered by the Service and funded in part by taxes or import duties collected from the sale of recreational fishing equipment, boats, electric motors and motorboat and small engine fuels under the authority of the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act. The billions of dollars generated through recreational angling, boating, waterfowl hunting and birdwatching benefit communities in the vicinity of wetlands restoration projects.
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 and connect with us on social media:
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Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
