American rivers is seeking grant support to manage the ohio river basin fish habitat partnership with the goal of improving aquatic habitat conservation and restoration throughout the basin

This federal Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the National Fish Habitat Partnership program (CFDA 15.686) provides $123,714 to American Rivers Inc. to manage the Ohio River Basin Fish Habitat Partnership. The project aims to improve aquatic habitat conservation and restoration throughout the Ohio River Basin by strengthening collaboration among federal, state, and non-profit partners and enhancing aquatic connectivity. Key activities include hiring a coordinator, updating the partnership's strategic plan, managing a grant program, and building capacity for aquatic connectivity projects. Expected outcomes include a refreshed strategic plan, improved coordination among partners, an increase in implemented aquatic connectivity projects, and enhanced fish habitat conservation efforts, which will benefit the region's aquatic ecosystems and local communities. The award period is from July 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025.

The primary aim of the project is to oversee the partnerships activities, ensuring they align with its mission, vision, and goals. This involves strengthening collaboration among federal, state, and nonprofit partners and enhancing aquatic connectivity across the basin. To achieve this, the project will focus on hiring a coordinator, updating the strategic plan, managing the grant program, and building capacity for aquatic connectivity projects. The expected outcomes include a refreshed strategic plan, better coordination among partner organizations, an increase in implemented aquatic connectivity projects, and improved fish habitat conservation efforts. These improvements will benefit the aquatic ecosystems of the ohio river basin, support fish populations and other aquatic species, and positively impact local communities that rely on healthy river systems. By advancing these goals, american rivers will help the partnership protect, restore, and enhance aquatic habitats, contributing to the long-term health of the regions ecosystems and communities.