The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation is managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). This WCS Climate Adaptation Fund will offer around $3.1 million in competitive grants in 2012. Awards will be offered to non-profit conservation organizations for applied, on-the-ground projects emphasized on implementing priority conservation actions for climate adaptation at a landscape scale.
The Nature Conservancy, Virginia was granted an award in 2011 for their work to demonstrate climate change adaptation strategies on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. This project will inform the expansion and restoration of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Their work will include restoring a functional oyster reef, improving 300 linear feet of living shoreline, creating 7,000 square feet of tidal salt marsh and enhancing more than an acre of existing, emergent wetlands.
Due to changing climate, high-elevation white bark pines have become hospitable to outbreaks of mountain pine beetles, destroying entire stands of these trees critical to many species. Grizzly bears depend on these pine nuts to help them gain weight for winter and a decline of the white bark pine means less nutrition during the critical months before hibernation begins. A reduction in cutthroat and other cold water fish species could translate into a major economic loss for tourism, the fishing industry, state wildlife agencies, and the local communities that depend on these revenues.
This rise in temperature of just a few degrees has broad implications for wildlife. Without action to preserve functional ecosystems and assist wildlife in adapting to varying habitat conditions, climate change could prove devastating. Through the WCS Climate Adaptation Fund, we hope to help overcome the odds.
Deadline for submitting a pre-proposal application form on Friday, March 30, 2012
For further information, visit the link.
