NOAA Announces $220 Million for Coastal Conservation and Restoration

The following is a statement of Kameran Onley, Managing Director of North American Policy and Government Relations for TNC:

“Today’s announcement demonstrates how transformative policies like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act continue to deliver benefits for people and nature. We’ve already seen the success and real-world benefits of projects supported by the first round of grants NOAA awarded last year. Now, with a new infusion of funding for projects across the country, we’ll be able to deliver proven, science-based solutions to the threats of climate change and plant and animal loss.”

“We need to address both threats holistically and integrate nature and nature-based solutions. As we’ve seen, NOAA-funded projects have helped communities across the country address the impacts of climate change they’re already experiencing, with increased flooding and loss of habitat for fish and wildlife. This latest round of grants shows that this approach is working and meeting the needs of nature and people.”

“We are pleased that NOAA continues to support nature and communities through these grants. The work this funding will support will help us make progress toward our climate goals while increasing community resilience. NOAA received project applications that totaled 10 times the available funding, which clearly shows how important it is to make this support more accessible to more communities. We look forward to working with partners across the country to realize the full potential of these projects and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.”