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NFWF to Announce $10 Million in Gulf of Mexico Grants

WHO: Jeff Trandahl, Executive Director, NFWF
Tom Kelsch, Director of Conservation Programs, NFWF

WHAT: NFWF is announcing the recipients of $10 million in new Gulf of Mexico fish and wildlife grants following its first round of spill response grant-making in 2010. Funding comes from the Recovered Oil Fund for Wildlife (ROFW) established by BP and NFWF after last year's spill, as well as contributions by other partners. The first phase of grant projects focused on sea turtles and birds and produced dramatic results. The 22 new projects to be announced Thursday continue support of turtle and bird projects and expand to address marine mammals, oysters and fish.

WHEN: Thursday, April 14th - 4 PM EDT

WHERE: Call In 1-800-311-9401, passcode 53847

CONTACT: Carol Denny, 202-595-2455 FOR RELEASE: April 12, 2011

Background
The 22 awards to be announced Thursday from NFWF's ROFW represent $6.85 million in new investments, which will be matched by a total of $3.3 million from the grantees and other contributors. NFWF's ROFW was established with proceeds from BP's share of net revenue from oil recovered from the Deepwater Horizon site. To date, BP has donated $22 million to the Fund. All BP contributions to the Fund are voluntary, and will not be used to offset any liability that BP may have for natural resource damages resulting from the Deepwater Horizon incident.

In 2010, NFWF grants in the Gulf region catalyzed the creation of more than 500,000 acres of additional habitat for millions of birds migrating through the Gulf and significantly offset impacts on the sea turtle population. The grants were funded by $8.8 million from the ROFW and an additional $2.5 commitment from Walmart. For the second round of funding, $100,000 in support is also being donated by Southern Company. A portion of the ROFW is being held in reserve for conservation needs in the Gulf in the months to come.

Story Ideas
2010 Results: NFWF and its partners responded with immediate action in the wake of the spill last year and made a big impact on the survival of wildlife. Knowing certain species faced immediate peril, NFWF assembled a portfolio of priority projects. When BP quickly made $10 million available to NFWF, the Foundation executed a strategy that injected this funding into projects to help species most at risk - namely sea turtles and birds. Learn more about the effort that unfolded on the ground as turtle nesting season began and millions of migratory birds began arriving in the Gulf by talking with NFWF staff and partners who carried these projects out.

Talk to This Year's Grantees
NFWF and its partners now move into Phase II of the response with a second slate of projects for 2011. The competition for this year's grant-making was stiff as NFWF received 120 applications requesting approximately $41 million. As you will hear Thursday, NFWF is investing in projects that are very tightly targeted on fish, wildlife and habitat projects, addressing needs of the highest priority, and reinforced by strong scientific information gathered in the wake of the spill. We are happy to connect you with NFWF staff and partners who will implement the projects we are announcing this week.