On March 7, 2023, the DOI announced more than $120 million in investments for projects to rebuild and restore units of the National Wildlife Refuge System and partnering State Wildlife Management Areas that have been affected by climate change induced extreme weather events. Priority is given to projects that promote coastal resilience, climate adaptation, natural resource resilience, and address invasive species threats. Examples of priority projects include advancing bison and grasslands restoration, landscape conservation and restoration, and support for endangered species. Selected projects include those that benefit historically underserved communities and Tribes.
This investment aligns with the recently released DOI restoration and resilience framework, which aims to leverage funding from the IRA and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the restoration of the country’s lands and waters. The $120 million investment advances the goals of this framework.