FLORIDA CORAL REEF CONSERVATION Grant Program

FLORIDA CORAL REEF CONSERVATION Grant Program is sponsored by Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida. This program supports coral restoration projects throughout the 350-mile Florida Coral Reef Tract. It also accepts innovative proposals for coral restoration.

Partial funding for this program comes from cause-related marketing agreements with Florida Keys businesses.

Conservation Grants - Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida In an average year, the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida distributes $6 – $9 million for conservation projects in Florida. Conserve Wildlife grants are for programs and activities of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) that contribute to the health and well-being of Florida black bears and other wildlife diversity.

This grant cycle is open to applications in November each year and awards are announced in the spring. Protect Florida Springs Plate Protect Florida Springs grants are for targeted community-based springs research not currently available for state funding. Funds are also directed toward community outreach programs aimed at implementing research findings.

These grants are typically awarded to universities, NGOs, or public agencies managing springs. This grant cycle is open to applications in March each year and awards are announced in the summer.

Wildlife Foundation of Florida Plate Wildlife Foundation of Florida grants fund programs and projects within the state that promote conservation, promote hunting and shooting sports, improve wildlife habitat, and establish open space for the perpetual use of the public. These grants are typically awarded to NGOs or public agencies. This grant cycle receives applications in June each year and awards are announced in the fall.

Discover Florida’s Oceans Plate Discover Florida’s Oceans grants are for ocean, estuarine, or coastal scientific research, conservation, and education projects. These grants are typically awarded to NGOs and universities. This grant cycle receives applications in September each year and awards are announced in the winter.

Supports coral restoration projects throughout the 350-mile Florida Coral Reef Tract. Partial funding for this program comes from cause-related marketing agreements with Florida Keys businesses. FREEDOM-TO FAIL-CORAL RESTORATION Accepts innovative proposals for coral restoration.

KOONS-AYALA MARINE FISHERIES RESEARCH & CONSERVATION Supports the Florida Fish & Wildlife Research Institute’s research and conservation efforts. Open to FWC and its partners. Projects are for fisheries research and management, with an emphasis on emerging issues or opportunities and innovative ideas that might not receive funding elsewhere.

RESEARCH AND PROTECTION OF SPAWNING AGGREGATIONS IN TAMPA BAY AND THE FLORIDA KEYS Awards are to FWC and its partners to study and protect critical spawning aggregations in Tampa Bay (redfish) and the Keys (multiple species). Supports the Florida Fish & Wildlife Research Institute’s research and conservation efforts.

Awards summer camp scholarships for at-risk youth, including funds for Title One school field trips to FWC’s youth conservation centers: FWC’s camps are often the first time many of these children have spent time in nature. Supports research by FWC and others on the distribution, probable cause of, and possible treatment for a neurological condition that paralyzes the hind quarters of some bobcats and panthers.

Projects are to help prevent the extinction of the grasshopper sparrow, North America’s most imperiled bird, via conservation breeding and release. Awards are for seagrass restoration and to FWC for the emergency feeding of manatees.

FWC and Foundation staff work together to determine appropriate assistance to FWC employees and their families when confronted by tragedy, be it the death of an FWC staff person, a house fire, or a broad disaster like a hurricane or flood. FWC LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS & FAMILIES FUND This Fund is similar to the FWC Employee Assistance Fund but reserved for sworn law enforcement officers only.

Fund to fill special equipment needs, especially smaller, specialized equipment that our Foundation can quickly purchase and provide to FWC’s law enforcement officers. For additional information, including our concept submission process for non-plate grant opportunities, please contact Melodie Griffin , the Foundation’s Director of Grants. Protecting Wild Florida Begins With You.

Protecting wild Florida begins with you. From Pensacola Bay to Key West, our Foundation is working to protect Florida’s natural lands and waters and the wildlife they harbor. Help ensure future generations can experience wild Florida by donating now.