The Biden-Harris administration has announced a joint public-private partnership, that includes a major conservation foundation, in providing $141.3 million spread over 74 grants. 

In a statement, the US government said it, alongside the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, will support “landscape-scale conservation projects across 46 states, three US Territories, and 21 Tribal Nations, and will generate at least $12 million in matching contributions for a total conservation impact of more than $153 million”.  

Projects dedicated to First Nations people will see dedicated grants, with some 40 percent of grants going towards indigenous communities.  

The grant making initiative is part of the America the Beautiful programme, launched by the Biden administration in 2021. Its goal is to conserve 30 per cent of US lands and waters by 2030. 

In October, the Biden administration announced a first-ever National Climate Resilience Framework to address strengthening climate resilience and adaptation particularly for low-income and Black, Latin-American, indigenous, rural and other communities. 

There will be an emphasis on supporting First Nation and indigenous access to grant funding for restoration, conservation and capacity-building. Grants will go towards projects that incorporate indigenous knowledge in planning and implementation of land use.  

“Reflecting input from local partners, the America the Beautiful Challenge serves as a key component of the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to protecting our nation’s natural treasures for generations to come,” said agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack. 

Shafi Musaddique is a news editor at Alliance magazine.  

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