The Pensacola & Perdido Bays Estuary Program (PPBEP) awarded $273,000 to local educational institutions, non-profits, and governments to support action projects to help restore and protect our waters. Nine recipients received awards ranging from $11,000 to $47,000 at the 2023 PPBEP Community Grant Symposium on Sept. 22 at the Bayview Community Center.
The funding opportunity included seven eligible project categories that align with the Estuary Program’s CCMP: Water Quality, Sedimentation, Habitat Restoration, Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Watershed Awareness and Education, Resilience, and Community Science.
The awarded projects include:
• Research that will fill needed data gaps on water quality and ecology in Perdido Bay and fish communities in understudied tidal creeks in Santa Rosa Sound
• Modeling that will help inform compound flood models, sedimentation assessments, stormwater planning, restoration efforts, and future development scenarios
• Exhibits that will educate visitors on our historical connection to our estuaries and the species that depend on them
• Hands-on marine science education to underserved communities and local high schools
• Science communication of the benefits of living shorelines through an interactive website highlighting underwater videos of fish and wildlife found at restoration sites
The Community Grant Program is made possible through the support of the Florida Legislature. The Estuary Program offers their deepest appreciation to Senator Broxson and Representative Andrade for sponsoring the Program’s legislative funding request.
“The Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program is thrilled to support these Community Grant Program recipients, advancing much needed restoration, monitoring, and outreach opportunities across Pensacola and Perdido Bays,” said Matt Posner, Estuary Program Director.
