This action approves an award in the amount of $299,860 to mississippi state university (MSU)

The Mississippi State University was awarded a $299,860 cooperative agreement from the Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 under the Geographic Programs – Gulf of Mexico Program (CFDA 66.475).

The award will support expansion of MSU's established Plan-It Marsh educational training program on growing native plants for habitat restoration and development of a new Plan-It Dunes program. At least four new educational modules will be developed for the programs to provide skills training to high school students on installing green infrastructure through propagation and planting of native coastal marsh and dune plants. Ten high schools will receive supplies and expertise to grow their own native plants, and five educational exchange programs will be conducted between Gulf Coast high schools.

Anticipated outcomes include job skills training for approximately 200-250 high school students in science, technology, engineering and math careers and restoration of at least 10 acres of native plant communities. The programs aim to enhance community resilience and habitat restoration along the Mississippi Gulf Coast through expanded outreach and restoration efforts. No subawards are included in the cooperative agreement.

The purpose of this award is to enhance community resilience using education and outreach and habitat restoration practices in the gulf of mexico watershed. Activities: the activities to be performed are to expand educational training programs on growing native plants for habitat restoration through the established plan-IT marsh program and development of the plan-IT dune program. Through these programs, skills will be developed in the installation of green infrastructure through propagation and planting of native plants to restore mississippi gulf coast marsh and dune habitats. Outcomes: anticipated deliverables include at least 4 education and training modules developed as part of the plan-IT marsh and plan-IT dunes programs, 10 high schools with the supplies and expertise to grow their own native marsh/dune plants, and 5 educational exchange programs between gulf coast high schools. Expected outcomes include approximately 200-250 high school students with stem career skills education and training, increased likelihood of continuation of plan-IT marsh and plan-IT dunes program, at least 10 acres of native marsh and dune plant communities restored, and increased likelihood of outreach educators developing partnerships with high schools to further advance stem career skills and restoration. Intended beneficiaries are the residents and communities across the mississippi gulf coast, who will benefit from enhanced community resilience and habitat restoration. Subrecipient: no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.