NFWF is soliciting projects under a new program to provide support for the effective implementation of three key strategies to aid in the recovery of the southern Resident killer whale (SRKW) Distinct Population Segment and the North Pacific Resident's population.  The program is made possible by a continued contribution by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. and will award a minimum of $400,000 in funds each year for killer whale conservation.

Initial conservation strategies for this program include:

• Increase prey availability: support projects that increase the health of salmon runs that are a critical part of the Southern Resident population’s diet.
• Improve habitat quality: support projects that reduce threats to priority killer whale habitat from pollution and contaminants, vessel traffic and noise.
• Strengthen management through research: support research to improve monitoring of demographics and distribution, health assessments and effectiveness of management interventions.

Interested applicants are encouraged to join the overview webinar on June 24^th (see RFP for link to register) and to review the request for proposals found at www.nfwf.org/killerwhales.  Proposals are due July 30^th via NFWF’s on-line application and awards expected to be announced in October.

Courtney T. McGeachy

Coordinator, Marine and Coastal Conservation

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

1133 Fifteenth Street, NW

Suite 1100

Washington, DC 20005

202-857-0166 (phone)

202-857-0162 (fax)

Courtney.McGeachy@nfwf.org

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