Program:
Co-sponsored by the Urban Waters Federal Partnership: the US Forest Service: EPA’s Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds: the US Fish and Wildlife Service: FedEx: the Alcoa Foundation: Southern Company: and Bank of America: and managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF): this public-private partnership seeks to develop community capacity for urban waterway restoration projects. Learn more about the Urban Waters Federal Partnership at: http://www.epa.gov/urbanwaterspartners/about-urban-waters-federal-partnership.
How it works:
By providing modest financial assistance to diverse local partnerships, EPA and its federal and private partners seek to advance local priorities (particularly in underserved communities), manage stormwater, and address water scarcity in ways that lead to the restoration of waterways, wetlands, forest, and habitat.
Each Five Star and Urban Waters project incorporates four main elements: the stewardship and restoration of urban waterways, coastal, wetland, and riparian ecosystems across the country. These pieces are the cornerstones of sustainable community-based conservation projects. All projects must have:
PROJECT ELEMENTS
STRATEGIC STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
On-the-ground activities such as wetland, tree canopies, river or coastal habitat restoration and/or targeted green infrastructure creation
Engage broad coalitions and partnerships for collaborative conservation
Integrated education, outreach and training into the restoration project through broad community engagement activities or participation and integration with K-12 environmental curriculum
Increase resources for conservation and community stewardship
Measurable ecological, educational, and community benefits
Support innovative and sustainable community-based solutions
Community partners united to achieve ecological and educational outcomes
Support innovative and sustainable community-based solutions
BY THE NUMBERS: A HISTORY OF SUCCESS
Since 1999, EPA’s $6 million investment in these projects has leveraged more than:
· $2.7 million in other federal funds,
· $6.8 million in private support, and
· $62.1 million in anticipated grantee match
For a total impact of $77.8 million for 765 projects nationwide.
Since becoming involved in 2013, the Urban Waters program has invested $767,000 in 95 projects leading to:
· $2.418 million in private matching funds,
· $2.101 million in other federal funds,
For a total impact of $5.286 million in funding for 163 community-based projects on the ground.
EPA PARTNERS ENGAGE COMMUNITIES, CREATE CHANGE
Integrating Environmental Justice: (California) – Save the Bay partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, REI, the Santa Clara Valley Water District, East Palo Alto Charter School, and Google to restore 16 acres of habitat along the San Francisco Bay. Many Bay Area shoreline communities are low income neighborhoods disproportionately exposed to poor water quality, trash and risk of flooding due to their location and rising sea levels.
4,500 volunteers, 2,000 students, 40,000 seedlings, 4,000 lbs of trash
Monitoring Water Quality: (Georgia) – The South Fork Conservancy collected and analyzed data on plant and animal populations and water quality at the degraded confluence of the South and North Forks of Peachtree Creek. This project built appropriate creek access and engaged underserved communities in monitoring and sustaining current restoration and green infrastructure efforts.
15 community members monitoring projects
Stormwater Management: (New York) – Gowanus Canal Conservancy partnered with TreesNY, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, and Million Trees NYC to train volunteer stewards and license them to maintain any public right of way bioswale in the City of New York. Incorporating citizen stewards into the operations and maintenance of public green infrastructure installations can significantly extend their functional life, saving tax dollars and empowering community members to become engaged with their local green spaces and infrastructure.
10 seedlings, 32 trainees, 128 volunteers, 7 project sites
Green Infrastructure & Watershed Protection: (Texas) – El Paso Community Foundation conducted an urban tree canopy assessment and permeable paver demonstration project as the gateway to sustainably revitalizing downtown El Paso and moving from gray to green infrastructure. This project improved drainage through permeable pavers, reduced flooding damage, increased tree canopy and shade, and recharged groundwater supply.
20 community members implementing projects
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation was created by Congress in 1984. The Foundation directs public conservation dollars to the most pressing environmental needs and matches those investments with private funds.
Source: DEQ