The goal of the proposed project is to engage with state and tribal wetland programs to identify examples of existing plans, programs, tools, and methodologies and highlight opportunities to better…

The goal of the proposed project is to engage with state and tribal wetland programs to identify examples of existing plans, programs, tools, and methodologies and highlight opportunities to better integrate environmental justice in restoration and protection programs. The main objective of this project is to develop the capacity of state, tribal, territorial, and local wetland programs to develop, fund, and implement conservation and restoration projects that incorporate community goals and, where appropriate and possible, prioritize the goals and objectives of vulnerable and underserved communities. To support this goal, ELI will: assemble an advisory committee, conduct desk research and in-depth interviews with state and local natural resource managers and wetland program managers, develop a research report, record two podcasts, host a webinar, and write and publish an article detailing the findings of the research report. Activities:specifically, ELI will: 1) engage with eight to ten national experts from state and tribal wetland programs; other state and federal agencies; environmental justice communities, and conservation organizations to guide the project; 2) conduct research and interviews including identify and analyze existing wetland and aquatic resource plans, programs, assessment and monitoring methodologies, and prioritization tools; 3) develop a report that will describe effective approaches to help state and tribal wetland programs develop, fund, and implement conservation and restoration projects that build in community goals and, where appropriate and possible, prioritize the goals and objectives of vulnerable and underserved communities; 4) develop detailed case studies of states, tribes, and/or local governments that have engaged in noteworthy and innovate approaches for accounting for community input in mapping, planning, and funding for restoration projects; 5) host a webinar and record two podcast episodes that feature the findings of the research report; 6) publish an article to report the research findings more broadly for interested stakeholders; 7) publish a blog post highlighting key themes identified in the research, and; 8) post the results of our research on ELI's wetlands (WWW.ELI.ORG/wetlands-program) webpage.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the intended primary beneficiaries of this project are states, tribes, territories and local governments while secondary beneficiaries are the interest public. Results of activities (outputs) this project will result in three outputs: 1. Final report: ELI will publish a report on best practices and case studies that demonstrate how states, tribes, and local governments can integrate community priorities, prioritize stakeholder input, integrate traditional knowledge, and address inequities in distribution of resources and benefits in restoration and conservation projects. 2. Webinar, podcasts, and blog posts: the project partners will design and deliver an in-depth webinar on the findings of the research. We will also create two podcasts and a blog post on key themes that emerge from the research. 3. Article: ELI will develop for publication an article in the environmental law reporter based on our research. Anticipated environmental improvement (outcomes) ELI's project will result in: 1) increased knowledge of state, tribal, and local wetland programs on how to integrate environmental justice in wetland restoration programs 2. Increased number of restoration plans, tools, and methodologies that build in stakeholder participation. 3. Increased number of conservation and restoration projects identified and developed with community goals, stakeholder input, and traditional knowledge and cultural considerations integrated. 4. Increased equity in distribution of conservation and restoration investment. 5. Improved protection and restoration of watersheds and aquatic ecosystem