A slew of government agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), USDA Forest Service (USFS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) USDA Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production and The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC), partnering with FedEx and Southern Company, are accepting applications for the 2025 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration program.

 

Awarding around $2.5 million in nationwide grants, the program looks to create local sustainable practices for natural resources focused on improved water quality, watersheds and the species and habitats.

Grants will be offered to projects that "include a variety of ecological improvements along with targeted community outreach, education and stewardship. Ecological improvements may include one or more of the following: wetland, riparian, forest and coastal habitat restoration; wildlife conservation, community tree canopy enhancement, wildlife habitat, urban agriculture and community gardens, wildlife and water quality monitoring and green infrastructure best management practices for managing run-off."

Eligible applicants. include non -profits, state agencies, local, municipal, Tribal Governments, and educational institutions. Applications are due by January 30, 2025, by 11:59 PM Eastern time. For more information, click here: https://www.nfwf.org/programs/five-star-and-urban-waters-restoration-grant-program/five-star-and-urban-waters