**June 27, 2006** **Contacts**

For Immediate Release Erica Rychwalski, (703) 841-4837,
<erychwalski@tnc.org>

**NOAA AWARDS \$600,000 TO THE NATURE CONSERVANCY**

# * Funds will be used to restore critical marine habitat and protect aquatic species* 

WASHINGTON, DC -- Across the United States, the loss and degradation of
coastal habitats has led to detrimental impacts on marine life and the
people who depend on our oceans and coasts. But increasing conservation
efforts and effective management can result in healthier oceans and
coasts for the benefit of people and nature.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Community-based Restoration Program supports projects to address the
conservation needs of America's critical coastal habitats. This year,
NOAA awarded The Nature Conservancy a grant of \$600,000 to implement
habitat restoration projects that will restore important marine habitat
and protect aquatic species across the country.

Since 2001, the Conservancy has partnered with the NOAA Restoration
Center to implement innovative conservation activities that benefit
marine, estuarine and riparian habitats on both coasts of the country,
as well as in the Gulf of Mexico and Hawaii. The Conservancy engages
coastal communities, stakeholders and other partners to carry out
conservation strategies that are tailored to local needs. These projects
protect coastal and marine habitat, restore species that are important
to ecosystem functions, remove invasive species, create shellfish
spawning sanctuaries and re-establish water flows to estuaries.

"NOAA's goals for habitat restoration are best accomplished through
strong community-based stewardship," said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad
C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and
atmosphere and NOAA Administrator. "The public's active commitment to
restoring fisheries resources is integral to our success. I commend NOAA
CRP and partners like The Nature Conservancy for their dedication to
restore high quality fish habitat throughout our nation's coastal states
and Great Lakes, as well as parts of Canada and the Caribbean."

"As the Community-based Restoration Program celebrates 10 successful
years, we are proud to continue our partnership with NOAA in restoring
our country's coastal waters," said Steve McCormick, president and CEO
of The Nature Conservancy. "These waters are a critical resource for
millions of Americans, as well as marine plants and animals, and NOAA's
support is essential to our effective conservation work."

To date, NOAA grants to The Nature Conservancy have supported 58
on-the-ground restoration projects in 17 coastal states in the U.S.
Current projects identified for funding include oyster reef restoration
on the Pacific, East and Gulf of Mexico Coasts, salt marsh restoration
in Maine, clam and scallop restoration in New York and Florida, and
coral reef restoration in Florida and Hawaii**.** The Conservancy
connects people and ideas through the NOAA partnership, helping to build
restoration expertise and knowledge around the nation.

The NOAA Restoration Center Community-based Restoration Program (CRP) is
celebrating its 10-year anniversary as a financial and technical
assistance program that promotes strong partnerships at the national,
regional, and local level to restore fisheries habitat. NOAA CRP works
with organizations and government to support locally-driven habitat
restoration projects in marine, estuarine, and riparian areas. NOAA CRP
funds on-the-ground habitat restoration projects that (1) offer
educational and social benefits for citizens and their communities, and
(2) provide long-term ecological benefits for fishery resources. Since
1996, more than 1000 projects in 26 states, Canada, and the Caribbean
have been implemented using NOAA funding and leveraged funding from
national and regional habitat restoration partners.

Each year, NOAA awards approximately \$950 million in grants to members
of the academic, scientific, governmental, and business communities to
assist the agency in fulfilling its mission to study the Earth's natural
systems to predict environmental change, manage ocean resources, protect
life and property and provide decision makers with reliable scientific
information. NOAA goals and programs reflect a commitment to these basic
responsibilities of science and service to the nation for the past 36
years.

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The Commerce Department\'s **National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA)** is dedicated to enhancing economic security and
national safety through the prediction and research of weather and
climate-related events and to providing environmental stewardship of our
nation's coastal and marine resources. To learn more about NOAA, please
visit [http://www.noaa.gov](http://www.noaa.gov/).

**The Nature Conservancy** is a leading international, nonprofit
organization that preserves plants, animals and natural communities
representing the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and
waters they need to survive. To date, the Conservancy and its more than
one million members have been responsible for the protection of more
than 117 around the world. To learn more about The Nature Conservancy's
Marine Initiative, visit <http://nature.org/initiatives/marine/work/>.