NFWF accepting proposals for Gulf work

Washington, D.C. -- The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) announced last Thursday, Sept 23, that it is seeking proposals for additional conservation projects that will benefit populations of fish and wildlife affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Projects will be supported by the Recovered Oil Fund for Wildlife, a program established from BP’s share of net revenue from the sale of oil recovered from the spill site.

NFWF will award grants on a competitive basis to organizations working in the Gulf region that are helping to safeguard fish and wildlife most affected by the spill, such as oysters, tuna and other fish species, marine mammals, sea turtles, shore birds, water birds, waterfowl and other coastal birds.

The current request for proposals initiates the second grant phase of the Recovered Oil Fund for Wildlife, which was created in June. To date, more than $8 million has been awarded for on-the-ground actions that directly benefit the Gulf’s sea turtle and bird populations. Through the efforts of NFWF and its partners, this first phase of funding is already in place to help reduce mortality and enhance survivorship among impacted wildlife across the region.

NFWF and a technical advisory panel will evaluate proposed projects for their conservation value and cost-effectiveness. Priority will be given to projects in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, but proposals outside the affected region that benefit Gulf fish and wildlife populations will also be considered.

“The first conservation projects of the Recovered Oil Fund for Wildlife are underway and delivering real results,” noted Jeff Trandahl, executive director of NFWF. “With this second phase, we can expand much-needed conservation actions and ensure the long-term survival of fish and wildlife across the Gulf.”

Applicants are required to submit a pre-proposal by November 1, based on guidelines established for the program at www.nfwf.org/ROFW. Further information on the Recovered Oil Fund for Wildlife and NFWF’s Gulf response is available at http://www.nfwf.org/.