The NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program Awards Three Grants to Advance Community-Driven Habitat Restoration Across the Estuary

New York, N.Y. (April 30, 2026)  — The New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program (NY-NJ HEP), funded by the Environmental Protection Agency and hosted by the Hudson River Foundation, announced the award of three new grants totaling $260,000 to support habitat restoration projects that advance ecological health while strengthening connections between communities and their local waterways.

As part of HEP’s Advancing Habitat Restoration with Community initiative, these projects reflect a shared commitment to implementing the Hudson-Raritan Estuary Comprehensive Restoration Plan (CRP)—a regional blueprint that guides restoration efforts across the Estuary by identifying priority habitats and opportunities for ecological improvement. The grant initiative, launched in 2023, has already supported projects led by the Bronx River Alliance, Gowanus Canal Conservancy, and Natural Areas Conservancy.

The latest selected projects address priorities of HEP’s 2025-2035 Action Agenda, particularly its Habitat and Ecological Health goal, which focuses on protecting and restoring vital habitat, ecological function, and biodiversity.

The three new projects selected for funding include:

• • • • • • The Rahway River Watershed Association (Rahway, New Jersey) will design and implement a riparian restoration along the lower Rahway River. Located in an underutilized park within walking distance of thousands of residents, the project will replace invasive species with native plantings to improve stream health, support wildlife habitat, and enhance community use of the park.
          • Seaweed City (Brooklyn, NY) will install and monitor a seaweed aquaculture array in Bushwick Inlet Park. By leveraging the ecological properties of kelp, the project aims to improve in-water habitat and water quality while engaging community members in stewardship activities that transform harvested seaweed into soil amendments for park plantings.
          • Marine Park Alliance (Brooklyn, NY) will develop a community-driven restoration framework for Marine Park. The project will guide future restoration of wetlands, shorelines, and maritime habitats, strengthening ecological resilience and expanding access to nature for surrounding communities.

          These projects align with HEP’s broader goal of advancing restoration efforts that not only improve ecological conditions, but also reflect the needs, priorities, and knowledge of local communities. Through these awards, HEP continues to support collaborative, place-based solutions that move restoration projects from planning to implementation while building the partnerships needed to sustain them over time.

          “The projects selected for funding reflect a diverse range of approaches to working within and alongside communities. Together, these investments—and the creativity of our dedicated partners—demonstrate how restoring habitat in collaboration with local communities can lead to lasting ecological improvements, including increased biodiversity, healthier wildlife populations, and more resilient ecosystems,” said Isabelle Stinnette, Senior Scientist for Ecological Restoration at the Hudson River Foundation and the New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program.

          “The Advancing Habitat Restoration with Community initiative is designed to support projects at various stages—from planning and community engagement to implementation and monitoring—with an emphasis on collaboration across community organizations, scientists, and public agencies,” said Robert Pirani, Director of the New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program. “Our approach reflects the Action Agenda’s focus on advancing coordinated, science-based, and community-informed strategies to restore and enhance the Estuary.”

          To learn more about HEP and its impact, visit https://hudsonriver.org/estuary-program/. To learn more about our Habitat and Ecological Health goals, visit HEP’s 2025-2035 Action Agenda: https://www.hudsonriver.org/ccmp/aa/habitat.

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          About the NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program — The New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program engages people, partners, and communities to collaboratively advance understanding, improve stewardship, and enhance our shared waters and watersheds. Created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at the request of the governors of New York and New Jersey, HEP is an ongoing effort to develop and implement a consensus-driven plan to protect, conserve, and restore the Estuary.

        About the Hudson River Foundation — For over 40 years, the Hudson River Foundation (HRF) has supported scientific research and engagement that has informed decision making to enhance the Hudson River, estuary, and watershed. The Foundation hosts the NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program, leading the implementation of its priorities under the direction of its staff, in coordination with its Policy Committee, and consistent with national guidance provided by the Environmental Protection Agency.