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MPA Partnership Grants

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About the MPA Partnership Grants
The Marine Protected Areas Partnership Grants Program was created by the MPA Center and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to support coordination and stewardship among member of the National System of Marine Protected Areas. Non-federal agencies and organizations can apply for support from the partnership grants for the following priorities:

  • Stewardship Projects as Part of a Regional/Sub-Regional MPA Plan: For MPAs and MPA programs that have already established regional or sub-regional coordination mechanisms, MPA plans and/or implementation priorities (e.g. through the Seamless Network initiative, Regional Ocean Councils, or other mechanisms), funds may be directed toward specific stewardship projects that have already been identified as a regional priority.
  • Development of a Regional/Sub-Regional MPA Plan: For MPAs and MPA programs that have not yet established regional or sub-regional coordination mechanisms, MPA plans and/or implementation priorities, funds may be directed toward a workshop or meeting to establish such plans and priorities.
  • Meeting National System Eligibility Criteria: For MPAs and MPA programs that do not meet the eligibility criteria for the national system of MPAs, funds may be directed toward a partnership with an existing national system partner to conduct activities to meet eligibility criteria (e.g. development of MPA management plans).

Eligibility
All persons, organizations, and agencies (excluding U.S. Federal Government) working on projects to enhance MPA stewardship among members of the national system of MPAs are eligible. Applicants may include non-governmental organizations, but must include at least two agencies responsible for MPA management. Federal agencies may not receive funds, but may be listed as partners on an application.

Timeline
Pre-proposals for the second round of grant applications were due in November 2010. The first grant recipients were announced in June 2010. Second round recipients were announced in June 2011. All projects are funded for one year, and funds must be spent by May 2012.

2011 Grant Recipients and Projects

  • Chumash Stewardship and Education in California's Channel Islands – The Wishtoyo Foundation will deliver programs to K-12 school children that highlight the environmental and Chumash cultural importance of the ecologically healthy waters of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and National Park. The Chumash are Native American people with deep historical roots along the southern California coast. The programs will share Chumash values, maritime culture, songs, dance, and history that exemplify the Chumash Peoples’ current and past dependency on a healthy Channel Islands ecosystem.
  • Optimizing Monitoring and Surveillance in Central California MPAsThe Marine Conservation Institute will host a workshop that will bring together representatives of multiple agencies to identify MPA enforcement and research/monitoring priorities, and community outreach strategies. The workshop will also identify challenges and facilitate discussions on how to improve MPA effectiveness across overlapping MPA jurisdictions in the area.
  • Developing a MPA Coordination Framework in the U.S. Virgin IslandsThe Nature Conservancy will work to create a formal framework of shared MPA priorities and resources for monitoring and collaboration for five MPAs in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Focusing on MPAs situated on and around St. Croix and St. John, the framework will further effective partnerships and management in order to enhance and preserve the marine ecosystems and coastal cultural resources of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  • Oyster Habitat Restoration in the Cape Romain National Wildlife RefugeThe South Carolina Department of Natural Resources will work to create oyster reefs within the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge through a community-based habitat restoration program. Oyster reefs are critical to South Carolina’s estuaries as they are essential to creating habitat, filtering water, and protecting shorelines from erosion. The project will be implemented by volunteers, helping build a stewardship ethic and expanding education efforts at the refuge and partner MPAs.
  • Phase II: Implementing the Gulf of Mexico Regional MPA Plan – The non-profit corporation Friends of Rookery Bay, Inc. will follow up on their Spring 2011 workshop (funded by a 2010 MPA grant) to implement components of a regional plan, including activities on coordination for emergency response; science and training related to climate change; outreach and education; and sustaining regional MPA coordination over the long term.

2010 Grant Recipients and Projects

  • Strengthening Marine Protection in Puako, HawaiiThe Nature Conservancy (TNC) will coordinate a community-based planning and implementation process to increase protection and enforcement capacity at an existing MPA within the West Hawaii Regional Fisheries Management Area. TNC will work with the community to develop a draft management and implementation plan to minimize priority threats to Puako’s coral reef, which will serve as a model for other community-based MPA plans.
  • Applying LiDAR Data to Support MPA ManagementRutgers University will pilot an innovative approach to examine impacts of projected sea level rise on salt marsh and barrier island habitat using high horizontal and vertical resolution Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) imagery. The project will quantify the change in potential critical habitats based on likely sea level rise scenarios. A regional workshop will be conducted with other MPAs in the region to translate the results of the study, and discuss the utility of using LiDAR technology elsewhere.
  • Developing a Regional MPA Plan for the Southeast – The non-profit corporation Friends of Rookery Bay, Inc. will work with the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Florida to survey regional MPAs about issues, priorities and coordination strategies. They will also organize a workshop of MPA stakeholders including all federal and state MPAs in the region, to discuss and reach consensus on establishing an effective MPA network for the Southeast U.S. and produce a framework for MPA coordination.
  • Developing a Management Plan for Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument – The Marine Conservation Biology Institute will support the development of a management plan for the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, designated in 2008. MCBI will work with NOAA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to identify and refine management needs and subsequent implementation strategies. The plan will serve as an international model for large-scale protection and be an essential part of our nation’s efforts to monitor climate change effects on marine ecosystems.
  • Designing and Installing California MPA Interpretive Panel – The California Department of Parks and Recreation will initiate a public education program and create signage for newly established MPAs along the shores of Central and Northern California state parks. Interpretive panels and maps will explain the goals and objective of the California Marine Life Protection Act Initiative, the designation system of California MPAs, and will educate the public on marine ecosystem management.

To view the NOAA Press Release announcing the recipients of the 2010 MPA Partnership Grants, click here.

Links

MPA Partnership Grants Fact Sheet FY11
MPA Partnership Grants Fact Sheet FY10
MPA Executive Order 13158
Framework for the National System of MPAs
MPA Effectiveness
Marine Protected Areas Inventory
Fact Sheets
Frequently Asked Questions about MPAs

For More Information
Contact Lauren Wenzel, Acting Director, National MPA Center: Lauren.Wenzel@noaa.gov
For questions on grant guidelines and format: visit www.nfwf.org, or contact Anthony.chatwin@nfwf.org