WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced $3 million in grants to restore aquatic habitats to benefit native freshwater species in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee. The grants will leverage $1.9 million in matching contributions for a total conservation impact of $4.9 million.

The grants were competitively awarded through the Southeast Aquatics Fund, a public-private partnership, with funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Altria and Southern Company.

"The Southeast is home to some of the most biodiverse rivers and streams in the world," said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF. "The grants announced today will advance the voluntary conservation of an incredible array of aquatic species, while also ensuring that landowners have options and resources needed to improve management of the forests, streams and other wildlife habitats under their stewardship."

The eight grants announced today will employ a variety of conservation strategies to restore and enhance extraordinarily biodiverse freshwater habitat. Partners will work with agricultural and forest landowners to implement novel approaches to freshwater habitat restoration, resulting in improved water quality, increased water quantity and improved connectivity for fish. The supported projects will benefit aquatic species such as the trispot darter, Alabama rainbow mussel and other imperiled aquatic species, as well as popular game fish such as brook trout.

"Clean rivers and streams are vital to the Southeast's fish, wildlife, and communities," said Mike Oetker, regional director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "By working hand-in-hand with landowners and local partners, we're improving water quality and restoring habitat in ways that benefit people and wildlife. Together, we are helping ensure a legacy of voluntary conservation on working lands for generations to come."

Freshwater mussels have seen steep declines across Southern watersheds. One project in this year's slate will significantly contribute to the recovery of villosa mussels, a longstanding goal of the Southeast Aquatics Fund, by reducing sedimentation to improve water quality. The project will help propagate and stock endemic mussels and monitor response of mussels and fish to habitat restoration to inform how aquatic conservation can work in similar watersheds.

"We are proud of our 22-year partnership with NFWF including the work accomplished because of the Southeast Aquatics Fund," said Jesalyn McCurry, voluntary conservation manager, Southern Company. "Advancing the cutting edge of aquatic conservation in important places matters. It's exciting to see such great progress."

Three projects in this year's slate advance a unique partnership between NFWF, the U.S. Forest Service, and the state foresters of Alabama, Florida and Mississippi. Using RESTORE Council funding, these projects improve water quality in the Gulf through sustainable forest management practices.

One project resulting from this partnership will improve the ecological function of the swamps of Florida's Panhandle. Another project in Mississippi will open opportunities for partnership with the timber industry, which includes some of the South's largest landowners. Another project in that state will use nature-based solutions to restore stream banks and improve water quality.

"The Southeast Aquatics Fund represents an enduring partnership that continues to promote healthy forests, and conserve aquatic habitats throughout the South. Our Southern forests support incredible biodiversity and provide clean and abundant drinking water for communities spanning the entire region," said Regional Forester Ken Arney, USDA Forest Service. "Partnerships positively impact our conservation efforts across forests and waters."

A number of projects in the slate support technical assistance for landowners to improve instream habitat conditions along with improved soil health, benefiting a variety of aquatic species that are sensitive to elevated levels of nutrients and sediment. These voluntary practices will be implemented on over 240,000 acres, and will include rotational grazing, fence installation and forest management.

"This investment is a huge step in our mission to work with private landowners to keep their forests as forests and bring back the amazing plant and wildlife of the Cumberland Plateau," said NRCS Chief Aubrey J.D. Bettencourt. "We look forward to working alongside NFWF to ensure these projects provide lasting benefits for years to come."

Launched in 2017, the Southeast Aquatics Fund supports voluntary watershed-based restoration and improved management to improve aquatic systems and secure populations of native freshwater aquatic species. Including this year's grants, the program has awarded $22.2 million to 69 conservation projects.

A complete list of the 2025 grants made through the Southeast Aquatics Fund is available here.

About the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) works with partners to foster sustainable and impactful conservation solutions so that people and nature thrive together. Chartered by Congress in 1984, NFWF has grown to become the nation's largest conservation foundation. Since its founding, NFWF has funded more than 23,300 projects that have generated a total conservation impact of more than $11.3 billion. Learn more at nfwf.org.

About the Natural Resources Conservation Service

For 90 years, NRCS has helped farmers, ranchers and forestland owners make investments in their operations and local communities to improve the quality of our air, water, soil, and wildlife habitat. NRCS uses the latest science and technology to help keep working lands working, boost agricultural economies, and increase the competitiveness of American agriculture. NRCS provides one-on-one, personalized advice and financial assistance and works with producers to help them reach their goals through voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs. For more information, visit nrcs.usda.gov.

About the U.S. Forest Service

The mission of the USDA Forest Service is, "To sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations." The Forest Service manages 193 million acres of forest lands with tribal governments, state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forest research organization in the world.

About the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is to work with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit fws.gov.

About Altria Group

Altria Group is a Fortune 200 company located in Richmond Va. Altria's tobacco companies include some of the most enduring names in American business including Philip Morris USA, the maker of Marlboro cigarettes, and U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, the maker of Copenhagen and Skoal. Altria complements its total tobacco platform with ownership of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, a collection of distinctive wine estates, and significant equity investment in Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world's largest brewer.

About Southern Company

Southern Company (NYSE:SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy solutions provider with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning the company awards and recognitions that reflect Our Values and dedication to service. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com.

Matt Winter
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
202-857-0166
matt.winter@nfwf.org

NFWF Announces $3 Million in Grants through the Southeast Aquatics Fund