NFWF Announces More Than $168,400 in Grant Funding to National Wildlife Refuge Friends Organizations
September 26, 2017
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 26, 2017)—The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced more than $168,400 in grants to support on-the-ground conservation projects, capacity building and peer-to-peer conferences within the National Wildlife Refuge System across the United States. Grantee organizations have committed more than $284,400 in match, generating a total conservation impact of $452,800.
The grants were awarded through the National Wildlife Refuge Friends Grant Program (Friends), a public-private partnership between NFWF, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and Enbridge. The program provides competitive grants that enable Friends organizations to develop and implement conservation projects, strengthen organizational capacity and skills, meet local refuge challenges, and build community recognition and support.
“Friends organizations are a vital component of the National Wildlife Refuge System,” said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO, NFWF. “The projects awarded today will benefit the Refuge System and the local communities they serve through increased organizational capacity and essential on-the-ground conservation work.”
The projects supported by the 18 grants announced today will support work in Alaska, Florida, Idaho, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.
“Enbridge is pleased to partner with National Wildlife Refuge Friends to realize important conservation and environmental initiatives throughout the United States,” said Brad Shamla, vice president of U.S. operations at Enbridge. “Natural resources and wildlife habitat are precious to every community, and we recognize that the way we help steward these resources is important to everyone.”
There are approximately 200 Friends organizations supporting almost 350 National Wildlife Refuges, with new organizations added each year. Friends organizations accomplish much of the outreach, support and conservation work across the refuge system.
“The value of the National Wildlife Refuge Friends Grant Program cannot be overstated,” said Joanna Webb, National Friends and partnership coordinator for the USFWS. “These grants allow Friends organizations to gain valuable experience in applying for and managing grant funding, get boots on the ground doing important conservation work, and focus on building nonprofit organizations and strengthening partnerships across the country—all the while strengthening the National Wildlife Refuge System.”
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 committed more than $3.8 billion to conservation projects. Learn more at www.nfwf.org.
About the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is to work with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
About Enbridge
Enbridge Inc. is North America’s premier energy infrastructure company with strategic business platforms that include an extensive network of crude oil, liquids and natural gas pipelines, regulated natural gas distribution utilities and renewable power generation. The Company safely delivers an average of 2.8 million barrels of crude oil each day through its Mainline and Express Pipeline, and accounts for nearly 68% of U.S.-bound Canadian crude oil production, and moves approximately 20% of all natural gas consumed in the U.S. serving key supply basins and demand markets. Enbridge also has a growing involvement in electricity infrastructure with interests in more than 2,500 MW of net renewable generating capacity, and an expanding offshore wind portfolio in Europe. The Company has ranked on the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations index for the past eight years.
