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Reflections: Protecting and restoring valuable coastal habitat

2025-04-10

Reflections on Restoration Progress
RESTORE Council- 2025

Protecting and restoring valuable coastal habitat

From Texas to Florida, the Council is acquiring valuable coastal habitat and protecting it in perpetuity to ensure it is available for use and enjoyment by future generations. The Council also invests in restoring habitat across the Gulf, including wetlands, cypress swamp, barrier islands, and oyster beds. These habitats provide a wide array of benefits, from improving water quality and reducing flooding to supporting tourism and other economic uses. Below are a few examples of our work across the Gulf Coast.

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Water and trees landscape

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) is receivingCouncil-Selected Restoration Component funding for the Perdido River Land Conservation and Habitat Enhancements program. This program will acquire and manage approximately 10,000-12,000 acres of habitat in the Perdido Watershed, located in Baldwin County, AL. Photo Credit: RESTORE Council
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Robinson Preserve Wetlands Restoration project

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was awarded RESTORE funds for the Robinson Preserve Wetlands Restoration project. This project will provide approximately 58 acres of coastal upland habitat and approximately 60 acres of wetland, open water sub-tidal, and open freshwater habitats, for a total of approximately 118 acres of restored productive habitat within the Robinson Preserve in Manatee County, FL.
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Conservation lands including Laguana Atascosa NWR

RESTORE funds provided approximately 1,998 acres of land to be added to a 105,000-acre corridor of conservation lands that includes the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Boca Chica State Park and the Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR. This corridor also connects over 2 million acres of private ranchland located north of Laguna Atascosa NWR with the 1.3 million acres in the Rio Bravo Protected Area in Mexico.

Watch Bahia Grande Land Acquisition video

The RESTORE Council is commemorating 15 years since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill  incident with a month-long reflection on its progress to date implementing meaningful ecosystem and economic restoration across the Gulf Coast. Subscribe to our eBlast or Modify your eBlast subscription.

Keala J. Hughes
Director of External Affairs & Tribal Relations
(504) 717-7235
keala.hughes@restorethegulf.gov