The Department of the Interior has announced over $24 million in funding from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to restore lands and waters across the United States. This announcement coincides with Climate Week and is part of a broader effort under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support 50 ecosystem restoration projects in 34 states and multiple U.S. Territories.
Secretary Deb Haaland emphasized the importance of these investments, stating, “At a time when tackling the dual climate and biodiversity crises could not be more critical, these investments in clean air, wildlife habitat, cultural resources, and open spaces will benefit people, wildlife and local economies for generations to come.” She highlighted that the resources from the Investing in America agenda would advance locally led projects aimed at building resilient communities and landscapes.
The Department is managing an overall $2 billion investment over five years to restore national lands and waters. This initiative supports President Biden’s America the Beautiful initiative through a newly unveiled Restoration and Resilience Framework designed to coordinate efforts across various restoration programs.
The new funding builds on over 600 previously announced projects aimed at improving natural infrastructure. The selected projects will focus on three main areas: building climate resilience, restoring healthy lands and waters, and enhancing community quality of life. Many of these projects are locally led and involve partnerships with states, Tribes, U.S. Territories, or non-profit organizations. Additionally, at least 40 percent of all investments will benefit historically underserved communities as part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative.
Specific Phase 4 projects include:
- Over $4.5 million for co-stewardship and salmon restoration in Alaska's Yukon, Kuskokwim, and Norton Sound region through the Gravel to Gravel Initiative.
- More than $5.3 million for protecting Central Grasslands and restoring bison populations via the Grasslands Initiative.
- Over $3.4 million for advancing the National Seed Strategy to conserve native plant communities.
- More than $3 million for restoring strategic areas within the sagebrush ecosystem.
- Over $2.5 million for reducing mining impacts in Appalachia through its Appalachia Keystone Initiative.
- $1 million for preventing imminent extinction of Hawaiian forest birds via the Hawaiian Forest Bird Keystone Initiative.
These investments will support projects starting in fiscal year 2025 onwards. The initiatives will be managed by various bureaus within the Department such as Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service among others.
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