We are thrilled with the success of this year’s Habitat Month, thanks for tuning in! In case you missed it, the theme was, "Reconnecting with Habitat!” We highlighted a variety of different habitat conservation projects and products, announced funding for new projects from three grant competitions, and profiled some of our staff and their different roles. Contact: Alison Hammer.

The NOAA Restoration Center is funding nearly $13 million for 31 new and continuing habitat restoration projects through our Community-based Restoration Program. These projects will restore habitat in 15 states and territories and build lasting benefits for communities and the environment. Contact: Natalie McLenaghan.

NOAA is awarding the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission almost $900,000 to support the first of five years of their work on a project restoring recreational fish species impacted by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.  The project will promote the use of fish descender devices and other tools, to help fish return to depth and recover from barotrauma associated with the catch-and release process. Contact: Sean Meehan.

To support our efforts to restore resilient coral ecosystems, NOAA is funding nearly $1 million toward four projects through the Ruth Gates Coral Restoration Innovation Grants opportunity. The funded projects aim to enhance coral resilience and improve the long-term success and efficiency of shallow-water coral reef restoration in a changing climate. Contact: Liz Fairey.

Habitat Focus Areas are targeted places where NOAA focuses programs and investments to address a high priority habitat issue by working with partners and communities. Explore the new StoryMap—Habitat Focus Areas Showing Results—to learn how HFAs improve ecosystems, benefit communities, and advance science. Contact: Michele Miller.

A multi-year partnership between NOAA and The Nature Conservancy will support the collaborative development of targeted coral restoration plans for the four Pacific Island jurisdictions of Hawai’i, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas. Contact: Lani Watson.

Explore oyster reef restoration in the Chesapeake Bay—virtually—through the new Oyster Reef Restoration StoryMap. Gorgeous photos and illustrative maps highlight the importance of oyster reefs to the ecosystem as well as the work that NOAA and partners are doing to restore this vital habitat. Contact: Kim Couranz.

Explore profiles of 19 of our community to learn more about their current projects and what they find meaningful about their role in conserving habitat. We will be adding more all month, be sure to check them out. Contact: Alison Hammer.

Demolition is underway in the NOAA-supported effort to remove the Middle Fork Nooksack Dam, located just outside of Bellingham, Washington. Removing the dam will restore access to 16 miles of priority habitat for threatened salmon and steelhead in the Middle Fork Nooksack River. Contact: Laurel Jennings.

The Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group has approved a restoration plan with four projects to restore marine mammals and oysters. NOAA will lead the marine mammal project, which will invest almost $10 million in increased capacity to respond to marine mammal strandings. The other three oyster-focused projects will be led by the State of Louisiana. Contact: Mel Landry.

Do you know someone who has demonstrated exceptional achievement and dedication to coastal and marine habitat conservation? The Office of Habitat Conservation and the American Fisheries Society are seeking nominations for the 2020 Dr. Nancy Foster Habitat Conservation Award by September 15 (new deadline). Learn more about award eligibility and the nomination process. Contact: Katie Wagner.

New speakers for the 2020 monthly Restoration Webinar Series have been scheduled from August through December, covering topics such as engaging youth in conservation, restoring urban waterfronts, and community involvement in dam removals. Contact: Melanie Gange.