Proposals for the 2022 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program are now being accepted through Jan. 25, 2022 by 11:59 p.m. eastern time.

The Five Star and Urban Waters Grant Program will award approximately $2.6 million in grants nationwide. An additional $1,000,000 in grants is available from a private funder to support urban green infrastructure that focuses on urban forests and tree planting, especially in underserved communities.

The Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration grant program seeks to develop community capacity to sustain local natural resources for future generations by providing financial assistance to diverse local partnerships focused on improving water quality, watersheds and the species and habitats they support. 

Projects include a variety of ecological improvements along with targeted community outreach, education and stewardship. Ecological improvements may include one or more of the following: wetland, riparian, forest and coastal habitat restoration, wildlife conservation, community tree canopy enhancement, water quality monitoring and green infrastructure best management practices for managing run-off.

Projects should also increase access to the benefits of nature, reduce the impact of environmental hazards and engage local communities, particularly underserved communities, in project planning, outreach and implementation.

The grant program is supported by the following partners: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Wildlife Habitat Council, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, USDA Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, FedEx and Southern Company.

To learn more and to apply, please visit the Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program webpage.