NFWF awards $3.7 million for Pecos River conservation projects
- The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced $3.7 million in grants for conservation efforts in the Pecos River Watershed.
- The funding will support 15 projects focused on restoring grasslands and improving wildlife habitats for species of concern.
- This initiative highlights the importance of public-private partnerships in achieving significant conservation goals.
On October 16, 2024, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) announced a significant investment of $3.7 million in conservation grants aimed at restoring grassland ecosystems in the Pecos River Watershed, which spans parts of New Mexico and Texas. This funding is part of the Pecos Watershed Conservation Initiative, a collaborative effort involving various corporate and federal partners, including Apache Corporation, Chevron, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The initiative, now in its seventh year, focuses on enhancing wildlife habitats, particularly for species of conservation concern such as pronghorn and migratory grassland birds. The awarded grants will support 15 projects that aim to restore over 45,000 acres of grasslands, improve management on an additional 18,000 acres, and enhance pronghorn-friendly fencing across more than 101 miles. In addition to grassland restoration, the initiative will also work on restoring 100 acres of riparian habitat, addressing critical issues related to water quality and scarcity. The long-term goals include improving the health of existing habitats along the Pecos River and its tributaries and identifying opportunities to re-establish species in areas where they have been lost. Since its inception in 2017, the Pecos Watershed Conservation Initiative has invested a total of $12 million into 59 projects, demonstrating the effectiveness of public-private partnerships in conservation efforts. This funding not only supports ecological restoration but also contributes to the overall health of the region's natural resources.