The national oceanic and atmospheric administration is providing $303,461 in federal funding to ducks unlimited, INC

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded $303,461 to Ducks Unlimited, Inc. on October 1, 2025, through the National Estuarine Research Reserve Habitat Protection and Restoration Grant Competition (CFDA 11.473) to develop restoration designs for 125 acres of salt marsh using innovative techniques and produce data-driven restoration plans for three priority salt marshes that will advance the science and management of salt marshes throughout the state and region. Work is performed in Dexter, Michigan, with a period of performance through September 30, 2027. The award is structured as a cooperative agreement with $910,383 obligated.

Three sub-recipients deliver complementary services. The University of New Hampshire (University System of New Hampshire division) provides ecological baseline monitoring and conducts monitoring-informed restoration actions through staff and personnel. The Nature Conservancy coordinates field work, provides project coordination for Lubberland Creek, assists with on-site activities, and leads Indigenous partnership support, documentation, and final report activities. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Inc. conducts rare plant inventory, assesses the suitability of migration areas, and tests and establishes propagation protocols for future restoration design plans and monitoring documents. Sub-awards were issued to these organizations on March 3, April 1, and April 23, 2026, respectively.

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, ducks unlimited will use these funds to develop restoration designs for 125 acres of salt marsh using innovative techniques. The resulting data-driven restoration plans for three priority salt marshes will advance the science and management of salt marshes throughout the state and region.