The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced 45 Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund awards totaling more than $17 million, which includes more than $4.7 million in funds made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Grantees have committed nearly $20.7 million in match, for a total conservation impact of $38 million that will restore and protect our land and water resources.
Of the 45 new or continuing conservation and restoration projects, 32 will be completed by members of Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed. With this seventh round of funding, Coalition members were awarded a total of $11.5 million and have generated $12.7 million of matching funds for a total of $24.2 million for projects that range from creating a waterfront schoolyard to expanding habitat and wildlife diversity and creating new public access opportunities.
“The $17 million awarded through the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund marks the largest total grant awards to date, reflecting a strong commitment to the restoration and protection of our watershed,” said Meagan Schaefer, Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed. “We are proud that 32 out of the 45 funded projects will be led by CDRW members. These projects focus on critical areas such as expanding recreational access, improving water quality, and restoring streams and habitats. This commitment underscores the ongoing need for strong support to continue advancing conservation and restoration work throughout the basin.”
“The Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund is supporting critical work to protect and restore rivers for people across our region. At American Rivers, we’re interested in ensuring that rivers are clean, free, safe, and fun for everyone,” said Adam Schellhammer, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director at American Rivers. “Cobbs Creek is one of a handful of waterways that’s accessible from Philadelphia’s residential neighborhoods and has been protected by public park land. We’re thrilled to begin work with our partners at Overbrook Environmental Education Center to explore opportunities for restoration and programming to enhance Cobbs Creek Park as a refuge for people and nature in a changing climate.”
“The horseshoe crabs and migratory shorebirds like the red knot are iconic wildlife of the Delaware Bay. The interrelationship and interdependence between the red knots and horseshoe crabs during the stopover is uniquely ours to steward,” said Tim Dillingham, Executive Director of the American Littoral Society. “This grant will allow us to continue restoring and enhancing habitat along the Bayshore, in support of the recovery efforts for both species. We are grateful for the stalwart support of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the US Fish and Wildlife Service in this long term project.”
“These funds will help advance Trust for Public Land’s efforts to build a waterfront schoolyard and community space at Mastery High School in Camden, which is an impressive campus that is located along the confluence of the Delaware River Back Channel and Cooper River, but lacks amenities to make it a safe public space access point,” said Owen Franklin, Vice President, Great Lakes Region and Pennsylvania State Director at Trust for Public Land. “This investment will help students and residents from across Camden connect with the waterfront in a place that they designed. We thank the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the US Fish and Wildlife Service for their powerful commitment to a healthy, vibrant Delaware River Watershed.”
The funded projects will lead to lasting positive impacts across the Delaware River Watershed by ensuring equitable access to nature, enhancing community resilience, improving water quality, and promoting healthy habitats. These efforts will also contribute to a vibrant outdoor economy by supporting local communities and fostering environmental stewardship. With the largest investment in the program’s history, this year’s awards highlight the importance of sustained collaboration and funding to protect and restore the natural resources of the Delaware River Basin for future generations. See the full list of 2024 Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund grants at www.nfwf.org/sites/default/files/2024-08/nfwf-dwcf-20240819-gs.pdf.