Project Development
Tools & Resources
Contacts
Funding Resources
Permitting Info
Project Examples
Erosion
Pacific Southwest Project Resources:
Your project may be more successful if you have partners. Partnering with other organizations, businesses, or government agencies may help you obtain funding, share expertise, create a better project plan, spread the workload, and ultimately have a more successful project.
Partners with experience may be able to advise you on which regional action plans you should consider aligning your project with. Often there are management plans that have been developed for an area and projects are expected to align with those plans to be considered fundable. These plans may be local, regional, state or interstate.
California Coastal Commission offers restoration opportunities in Upper Newport Bay. The Commission published Digging In: A Guide to Community-Based Habitat Restoration, which describes how individuals and organizations can become involved in coastal habitat restoration.
The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy lists a number of potential partners including federal and state agencies and nonprofit organizations.
Are there programs to restore your local estuary or coastline? Are there initiatives to help threatened or endangered fish and wildlife? These programs sometimes have grant dollars.
Many states have the following departments, divisions, or commissions, which you can use as internet search terms:
Many of these organizations are listed as members of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Your state’s land-grant university may host a SeaGrant program or a Cooperative Extension Service related to agriculture, conservation. Extension agents can direct you towards helpful resources for your project type.
These may be sponsored by your drainage or stormwater utility, public works department, natural resource agency, mayor’s office, or another local agency. Federal agencies typically only have the resources to assist in large projects, but may provide awards to your state or county.
To find your local, state, or tribal governments, type the following into a search engine: your state/county and then the type of agency you are wanting to connect with (e.g., local government, tribal representative, state government). For example, search for “Alabama beach restoration permitting” or “New Jersey environmental protection.” Also, try using terms that relate to your concern or solution. For example, “Florida coastal flooding help.” Try different terms, or combinations of terms, such as “grants, restoration, invasive species, marsh, natural resources, volunteers, funding, etc.” It may take a few tries to find the site and information you are looking for.
To find a specific local county office, type the following into a search engine: your local county or city and then the department you are wanting to connect with (e.g, environmental, planning, natural resources). For example, search for “Escambia County coastal management” or “Destin FL natural resources.”
Environmental groups
Some may focus on local issues. Others may be local chapters of state or national organizations. Always ask if there is anyone else you should be talking to, and who their recommended contact is. Network!
Search for “invasive species councils,” “estuary partnerships,” “national estuary programs,” “coastal invasive plants,” and similar terms to find local or regional groups. Below are some suggestions.
Restore America’s Estuaries is an alliance of 10 community-based conservation organizations focused on coastal restoration.
California Invasive Plant Council has resources to help Californians fight the spread of invasive plants.
Wildland Volunteer Network is a non-profit organization that provides trainings for expert volunteers as well as those who are new to invasive plant management.
California Native Plant Society provides resources for protecting native plants and preventing the spread of invasive species.
National Association of Invasive Plant Councils lists exotic pest plant councils by state.
Wikipedia lists environmental and conservation organizations in the United States.
Neighborhood organizations may be a resource for community outreach and volunteers.
Schools may be a source of volunteers.
Look for local businesses and business organizations that may have a stake in a cleaner environment.
Tribes and Indian Nations should be consulted about their interests in the area of the project.
Tribes and Indian Nations may have treaty rights that need to be observed and cultural resource concerns that apply to your project, especially if ground disturbance is involved in your project.
Tribes and Indian Nations often have resources that can help with your project. They often manage monitoring and research projects, and that information may be very helpful in the development of your project.
Contact the Tribe’s or Nation’s natural resource department early in the project. Click here for help finding recognized tribes and their leaders or here for help finding non-federally recognized tribes.
Learn more about partnering with Tribal Nations and incorporating Indigenous Knowledge.
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