SOAR Funding Opportunity

[Haley Harguth]

Hi Hood Canal Shellfish Initiative partners,

The Nature Conservancy's SOAR: Supporting Oyster Aquaculture and Restoration funding opportunity is open now. There are two funding tracts available, one to support oyster growers with direct payments for surplus oysters due to this past year's market disruptions (deadline past for WA), and the other to increase economic opportunities and resilience of the aquaculture industry:

Created in collaboration with Pew Charitable Trusts, U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, the Supporting Oyster Aquaculture and Restoration (SOAR) initiative aims to extend $2 million in payments to oyster farmers over the next two years.... In early 2021, the initiative also established a Shellfish Growers Resiliency Fund in partnership with Pew, NOAA, state management agencies, and shellfish growers’ associations. The Fund aims to pave the way for a more resilient and sustainable U.S. shellfish industry that benefits the ocean and the communities which rely upon it.

The Resiliency Fund application deadline for small projects is May 17, and for large projects on Jun 14. More information about the SOAR program and application instructions can be found on their website.

HCCC is currently assessing opportunities to align Hood Canal Shellfish Initiative priority actions with SOAR's funding priorities in consideration of an application. If you or your organization is considering pursuing this funding opportunity, HCCC would love to hear about it and explore potential partnerships with the HCSI community.  

Hope you are enjoying the Spring sun!

Thanks,

Haley

Haley Harguth | Watershed Program Manager

Hood Canal Coordinating Council | HCCC.wa.gov | OurHoodCanal.org

17791 Fjord Drive NE, Suite 118, Poulsbo, WA 98370

360-328-4625 | hhar...@hccc.wa.gov

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