Protecting Southern Appalachian Wildlife in an Era of Climate Change
Deadline to submit applications is 5 pm, Thursday, August 1, 2013. As with the first round last autumn, funding will be focused on permanently protecting large forest blocks in the Southern Cumberland Plateau in portions of Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia that have been identified as a high priority in recognized wildlife habitat and landscape conservation plans, including but not limited to state wildlife action plans and OSI’s recent research project, Protecting Southern Appalachian Wildlife in an Era of Climate Change.
OSI will make loans and grants to qualified organizations for land acquisition through a competitive process that is guided by an advisory board comprised of experts within the region who are knowledgeable about natural resources, conservation planning, philanthropy, land transactions and policy. The Southern Cumberland Fund has been capitalized with funds from the Lyndhurst Foundation, Benwood Foundation, Merck Family Fund and OSI, totaling $6.75 million.
As a conservation lender, regranter and researcher, OSI has been active over the past decade helping to conserve land in the Southeast. Please forward this information to colleagues in the region. Additional information and questions regarding the grant procedure can be directed to David Ray, OSI's Southern Appalachians Field Coordinator, at 828-252-4520 or dray@osiny.org.