Nature Conservancy Awarded $900,000 Grant

Money will be used to protect wildlife on the Broadkill River.

The Nature Conservancy has been awarded a $900,000 grant to protect wildlife along the Broadkill River.

The grant, which was approved by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, will be applied to the $2.1 million purchase of conservation easement on 507 acres of the Island and Sanctuary Farms along the river.

In order to be considered for funding, the project had to meet certain biological criteria such as providing high quality wetlands and habitat for important bird species. The Nature Conservancy of Delaware is also required to provide one dollar in matching funds for every dollar of grant funds received.

“The grant is a giant leap forward in our quest to protect this vital land,” said Kate Hackett, the Conservancy’s Director of Land Protection. “Already we have raised a total of $854,000 and the Conservancy is continuing to seek additional private contributions to complete the acquisition.”

Partner funds were provided by the State of Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation, Longwood Foundation, Broadkill Realty LLC, Dupont, Welfare Foundation and a private landowner.

The Nature Conservancy is accepting tax-deductible contributions to the address below:

The Nature Conservancy, 100 West 10th Street Suite 1107, Wilmington, DE 19801

For more information, visit: nature.org/Delaware