Purpose of the SCA Project

The conservation opportunity associated with RESTORE Act funding has the potential to be transformative for the Gulf Coast Region (GCR). Regardless of how significant the available funding may be, its greatest potential lies in how effectively restoration actions shape the resilience of the Gulf now and into the future. It is imperative that the portfolio of potential land conservation projects funded through monies associated with the RESTORE Act be evaluated in the context of their respective role within and across watershed(s), and all efforts are made to select and implement those projects that provide the greatest realized benefits to current and future system sustainability and resilience. The holistic approach followed in the Strategic Conservation Assessment (SCA) of Gulf Coast Landscapes project can result in conservation of landscapes that help reduce the impacts from tropical storms and flood events, allow for mitigation and adaptation to the impacts of climate change and sea-level rise, sustain healthy populations of fish and wildlife, support robust economies, keep working lands working, and preserve the Gulf’s rich cultural heritage.

Ensuring the long-term health and productivity of Gulf Coast ecosystems requires a forward looking land conservation strategy (targeted conservation easements and acquisition) that builds upon the existing network of state, federal, and private conservation areas and working lands, expands the scale of conservation lands across administrative and political boundaries, supports management stewardship for the public or private entity best suited for meeting long term conservation objectives, and incorporates co-benefits of conservation spanning a range of ecological and socioeconomic priorities. A well-conceived regional conservation network relies not only on sound ecological planning and conservation design but also recognizes and integrates the cultural, social, and economic needs of human communities in the GCR, while allowing working lands to remain working, providing coastal resilience, and conserving natural resources. The SCA project develops a conservation framework that synthesizes and advances the existing and ongoing conservation planning and design efforts in the GCR and is foundational to establishing a functional conservation network of lands into the future.

The SCA project is a collaborative effort catalyzed by the United States Department of the Interior working through a voluntary, science and planning partnership of private, state, and federal agencies and organizations in the GCR. The SCA project is supported by a Core Working Group comprised of representatives from RESTORE Council member agencies, as well as other partnerships to which they are associated. This approach facilitates the synthesis of conservation planning in the GCR, providing a strong foundation for identifying conservation needs and priorities. Engagement with stakeholders from across the GCR leverages existing efforts, avoids duplication, and ensures the values of local communities and residents are incorporated in all aspects of this project.

Total funding for implementing the SCA project is just under $1.9 million over a 3-year period.