The national oceanic and atmospheric administration is providing $619,714 in federal funding to the alabama department of conservation and natural resources through the FY2024 and FY2025 national…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office for Coastal Management (CFDA 11.473) awarded $619,714 to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) under the FY2024-FY2025 National Estuarine Research Reserve Habitat Protection and Restoration Grant Competition. The award, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2029, funds habitat restoration planning, engineering, design, and implementation projects designed to enhance the safety and productivity of coastal communities in Alabama's coastal counties.

ADCNR will execute on-the-ground restoration activities to restore approximately 287 acres of wet pine savanna and carnivorous plant habitat on the Damson and Ogburn tracts within the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Restoration implementation includes installation of firebreaks and application of periodic prescribed fire to restore ecological function and habitat productivity. These activities directly support NOAA's coastal resilience and habitat protection mission by advancing science-based solutions to protect sensitive estuarine ecosystems and enhance ecosystem services that benefit coastal communities.

The national oceanic and atmospheric administration is providing $619,714 in federal funding to the alabama department of conservation and natural resources through the FY2024 and FY2025 national estuarine research reserve habitat protection and restoration grant competition. This funding will increase the safety and productivity of coastal communities within coastal counties through habitat restoration planning, engineering and design projects, habitat restoration implementation projects, and land conservation projects. Specifically, the alabama department of conservation and natural resources will use these funds to restore approximately 287 acres of wet pine savanna and carnivorous plant habitat on the damson and ogburn tracts within the weeks BAY national estuarine research reserve through on-the-ground restoration activities. Restoration implementation will include the installation of firebreaks and the application of periodic prescribed fire.