On April 21, 2023, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded $562 million for restoration and conservation projects across the U.S., providing significant funding infusions from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that were dedicated to advancing coastal restoration and resilience.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) was among the awardees. The funding will support TNC’s work in Alabama, California, Ohio, South Carolina, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Kameran Onley, Managing Director of North American Policy and Government Relations at TNC said, “Today’s announcement affirms the promise of the bipartisan infrastructure law: transformative change for people and nature. These projects will support time-tested, science-backed, practical solutions to challenges with a new approach to funding that has made it more accessible to more communities, especially those that have not had the capacity to tackle these pressing issues.”
These projects—which include restoration work for wetlands, coral reefs, and wildlife habitats—will leverage nature-based solutions to improve community resilience to threats like flooding as well as improve the health of local ecosystems.
“Our deteriorating infrastructure, the threats of climate change and biodiversity loss, and the need for economic growth require a holistic approach, and nature must be part of the response. These awards are a recognition of that connection and a call to not just do more, but to do things differently so that we can more fully meet the needs of communities. The fact the law that enabled this funding was bipartisan is an acknowledgment of the challenges facing the United States and the world and a commitment that we will face them together,” Onley added.
The NOAA awards are funded by the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which Congress passed in 2021 and included significant investments in clean energy, conservation, and natural infrastructure.
“We commend the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for today’s announcement. As the latest climate report made clear, the window for the world to make substantive progress on its climate goals is closing fast. This is the kind of work that will help get us there. We look forward to working with partners across the country to effect sustainable change for communities and ecosystems across the country,” concluded Onley.
The Nature Conservancy is a global organization dedicated to restoring and conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, they create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together.
TNC is tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping to revitalize cities and make them more resilient.
Working in 76 countries and territories—37 by direct conservation impact and 39 through partners—TNC uses a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners.
Photo of Virginia coast courtesy of Peter Frank Edwards / TNC.