Bezos Earth Fund Awards $30 Million to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to Accelerate Restoration of Longleaf Pine Forests and Northern Great Plains Grasslands
Summary
Washington, D.C. (November 15, 2022) The Bezos Earth Fund today has committed a third $30 million award to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to accelerate recovery of two imperiled landscapes: longleaf pine forests and Northern Great Plains grasslands. Taken together, these activities will sequester up to 8 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent by 2055 and support recovery of 10 at-risk species, including the red-cocked woodpecker and black-footed ferret. Project applications surged by nearly five-fold in the past year, signaling increased activity and ambition by coalitions of local community groups, research institutions, ranchers, farmers and Native Nations. Not only are these ecosystems vital for the economic and cultural wellbeing of local communities, but they are also places that can have globally significant impact in terms of nature protection and carbon sequestration. The Bezos Earth Fund is thrilled to continue our partnership with NFWF and coalitions of local partners working to protect and restore these precious ecosystems, said Cristi\xe1n Samper, Managing Director and Leader for Nature Solutions at the Bezos Earth Fund.We are extremely gratified to receive continued landscape-level funding for longleaf and Northern Great Plains restoration priorities, said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF.