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News focused on funding & financing
nature-based solutions
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| While they may have been forgotten in the dizzying events of this past month, the end of 2024 saw several extraordinary conservation finance achievements. Congress overwhelmingly approved - and former President Biden subsequently signed - the Explore Act that provides for equitable access to the outdoors for all (Outdoor Recreation Roundtable), enabling tribes to access federal funding and ensuring resources for underserved urban communities. And days later, the Department of Interior announced the protection of a critical inholding in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park (Department of Interior), a complex $100 million transaction engineered by the Grand Teton National Park Foundation with an impressive mix of public and private funding and a critical bridge loan from the Conservation Fund. On the other side of the country, protection of a community forest in Vermont illustrated the diverse and enduring legacy of conservation (Vermont Digger).
To understand how the federal funding landscape may be shifting and what it means for you, tune in to a CFN webinar February 14th on the state of federal funding for conservation (Register here), the first of our spring Nature's Returns webinar series. Watch for announcements of subsequent webinars.
Closer to home, the CFN is proud to announce the addition of four new members of our Steering Committee: Jessamine Fitzpatrick, JP Gibbons, Cherie Kearney and Rex Linville (more information). They join Margaret Bowman, Renee Kivikko, Carl Palmer and Peter Stein on the Committee which plays a critical role in guiding the work of the CFN. We are hugely fortunate to have such a distinguished group of leaders helping us navigate the path ahead.
Peter Howell
Executive Director
The Conservation Finance Network
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Use of Interim Financing in Conservation SurveyLegacyWorks Group, in partnership with The Conservation Finance Network and Land Trust Alliance, is looking for input to help inform the need for education about the use of bridge loans. Please take this 15-minute survey and be entered for a $500 education award drawing to be used towards professional development, CFN's 2025 Boot Camp, or Land Trust Alliance's 2025 Rally.
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Duke's Nicholas Institute for Energy, Invironment & Sustainability Launches the Nature Activation Hub
The Nature Activation Hub aims to bring together tools, guidance, and research produced by Duke with partners across many projects in a more streamlined, less fragmented way. Collaborators include federal and state agenices, land trusts, cosnervation organizations, and various networks. (Nicholas Institute)
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Announces $122.5 Million in Conservation Grants from the America the Beautiful Challenge
The third round of grants have been awarded to high-priority conservation projects. 61 new grants were awarded and will generate at least $8.7 million in matching contributions for a total conservation impact of $131.2 million. (National Fish and Wildlife Foundation)
USDA Launches New Program to Support Wood Processing Facilities and Help Reduce Wildfire Threats
USDA Rural Development is partnering with USDA Forest Service to provide funding through a new Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program to support timber industry innovations and improvement of forest health. $220 million will be earmarked through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in loan guarantees to establish, reopen, retrofit, expand, or improve facilities that use trees harvested from federal or tribal lands. (USDA)
CWSRF Sponsorship Programs: Swipe Right to Match Point Source Projects with Nonpoint Source Projects
Clean Water State Revolving Fund programs have seen an interest to direct a larger portion of its $12.7 billion BIL funds towards green stormwater infrastructure projects. Challenges and potential solutions to the funding of GSI projects show the potential for increased funding for future projects. (Environmental Policy Innovation Center)
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| USDA Forest Service
U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation:
Other:
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| | Virtual & In-Person Events
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| International Society of Tropical Foresters Annual Conference
Yale University, New Haven, CT
In-person & Virtual: January 31 & February 1, 2025 Register here
Florida Association of Environmental Professionals Conference
Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront Hotel
In-person: March 12, 2025 Register here
Gathering Waters Wisconsin Land Trust Conference
Wisconsin Masonic Center
In-person: March 12-14, 2025 Register here
9th American Forest Congress
Omni Shoreham in Washington, DC
In-person: July 15-18, 2025
Nominations open to attend
International Symposium On Conservation Impact
The Nest at the University of British Columbia
In-person: May 5-7, 2025 Register here
Tribal Engagement in the Colorado River Basin
In-Person: Third Street Center, Carbondale February 5, 2025 Register here
In-Person: Pitkin County Library, Aspen February 6, 2025 Register here
Trust for Public Land: A Conversation on Boston-Area, Community-Centered Green Infrastructure
Webinar, Boston
Virtual: February 6, 2025 Register here
Sabin Center for Climate Change Law Legal Colloquium: The New Climate Fiduciaries
Columbia Law School
Virtual & In-person: February 21, 2025 Register here
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Midwest:
Director of Philanthropy
South
Climate Equity Manager
Florida
Southeast:
Director of Climate Action
Colorado
Gifts Officer
Denver Regional Manager: Land Conservation
Southern Front Range Director: Land Conservation
Colorado
Remote
Communications Director
Senior Environmental Economist
Senior Manager of Development
Remote (SF Bay Area, Sacramento, Portland, Seattle, or Denver)
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