The Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program focuses on the stewardship and restoration of coastal, wetland and riparian ecosystems across the country. Its goal is to meet the conservation needs of important species and habitats, providing measurable and meaningful conservation and educational outcomes. The program requires the establishment and/or enhancement of diverse partnerships and an education/outreach component that will help shape and sustain behavior to achieve conservation goals.
Funding priorities for this program include:
- On-the-ground wetland, riparian, in-stream and/or coastal habitat restoration
- Meaningful education and training activities, either through community outreach, participation and/or integration with K-12 environmental curriculum
- Measurable ecological, educational and community benefits
- Partnerships: Five Star projects should engage a diverse group of community partners to achieve ecological and educational outcomes.
Approximately $1.6M is available nationwide for projects meeting program priorities. Awards range from $25,000 to $50,000 with an average size of $40,000 and 40-50 grants awarded per year. Grants should span 12 to 18 months with a start date in late summer/early fall 2023. Participating partners include: U.S. EPA Five Star Restoration Training Program, Urban Waters Federal Partnership, U.S. EPA and U.S.D.A. Forest Service, U.S. FWS Urban Programs (including the UBT Program), Southern Company Five Star Restoration Program, and FedEx.