Our Programs | CELCP
The Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program
CELCP funds have been used to preserve many important coastal and estuarine lands including Deer Island, Mississippi.
The Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP) was established in 2002 to protect coastal and estuarine lands considered important for their ecological, conservation, recreational, historical or aesthetic values. The program provides state and local governments with matching funds to purchase significant coastal and estuarine lands, or conservation easements on such lands, from willing sellers. Lands or conservation easements acquired with CELCP funds are protected in perpetuity so that they may be enjoyed by future generations.
The CELCP guidelines outline the criteria and process for states to nominate land conservation projects to a national competitive process. The program is coordinated at the state level through each state’s CELCP lead within the state’s lead coastal management agency.
Deer Island provides excellent habitat for numerous migratory bird species including the brown pelican and cormorants. The island is also a great blue heron rookery.
To date, the program has protected more than 35,000 acres of land through projects funded between 2002 and 2007. The first CELCP project was the acquisition of Deer Island, a 3.9 mile long, 464-acre barrier island located just off the coast of Biloxi, Mississippi. The island habitat includes sand beaches, tidal flats and marshes, and maritime forest. The State of Mississippi partnered with the CELCP, and provided matching funds, to preserve the island as habitat for birds and other wildlife and to provide recreational opportunities for the public.
For more information contact Elaine Vaudreuil (301) 713-3155 x103.