Learn more about NRCS’ Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program and USFWS’ Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, and funding opportunities through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Hear from Puerto Rico and North Carolina about their experiences with the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWPP) following recent devastating hurricanes.

1. July 2022
NACD’s 2022 Summer Meeting
San Juan, Puerto Rico
July 16-19, 2022
John Huffman, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Branch of Habitat Restoration, Headquarters

2. Coastal Program &
Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program

3. Mission
“The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program and the
Coastal Program connect, enlarge, and buffer National
Wildlife Refuges and other conservation areas to create a
landscape conservation estate.”
Cynthia Martinez, Chief
National Wildlife Refuge System
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service is working with others to conserve,
protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants,
and their habitats for the continuing benefit
of the American people..

4. Program Strengths
• Voluntary conservation programs
• On-the-ground conservation delivery
• Recovering priority species
• Technical and financial assistance
• Locally-based staff with specialized expertise
• Leveraging other funds – Farm Bill, Coastal Wetland Grants, NAWCA etc.
• Strategic Habitat Conservation at a landscape-scale
• Habitat connectivity and resiliency
• Integration of Service and partner programs / plans
• Community engagement and outreach

5. Partnerships

6. Coastal Program Offices

7. Coastal Program
Completed
More than 4,900
habitat conservation projects
Worked with
More than 8,200
partners
Contributed to the
Delisting or Down-
listing of
15 species
Improved
More than 608,000
acres of habitat
Implemented projects in
39 states and
territories
Leveraged
At least 1:5
In program to partner
contributions
$
Protected
More than 2.3
million
acres of habitat

8. Partners for Fish and Wildlife
Staff Locations
220 Full Time Staff

9. Partners for Fish and Wildlife
Completed
More than 60,000
habitat conservation projects
Worked with
More than 50,000
partners
Improved
More than 6 million
acres of habitat
Implemented projects in
50 states and
several territories
Leveraged
At least 1:4
In program to partner
contributions
$

10. Farm Conservation
Program
● Coordinate and disseminate information on implementation of Farm Bill
conservation programs to Service staff.
● Serve as point of contact for state fish and wildlife agencies and NGOs
regarding Farm Bill conservation programs as it relates to our trust
resources.
● Provide technical assistance to USDA to enhance fish and wildlife and
target benefits of Farm Bill programs (e.g., Working Lands for Wildlife)
● Farm Bill reauthorization

11. Marine Areas, Islands and Coasts
USFWS Marine Resource Responsibilities: > 760 million acres
• From above the Arctic Circle (North shore of Alaska) to south of the equator at
• Rose Atoll (near American Samoa) and even to the depths of the Mariana
Trench.
By the Numbers:
• More than 180 coastal national wildlife refuges conserve marine, coastal and
Great Lakes habitats
• 759 million cooperatively managed acres of submerged lands and waters
• 5 marine national monuments
• More than 150 marine protected areas

12. Questions?
Find Us Online!
Webpage: https://www.fws.gov/partners/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PFWProgram
Webpage: https://www.fws.gov/coastal/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoastalProgram
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3hBMG2O