Gulf Week wraps up with a great episode of the Capitol Beach
$2.54 billion for coastal restoration. If that doesn’t get your attention, nothing will! On this episode of The Capitol Beach, Derek Brockbank interviews Tom Kelsch, Senior VP for the Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund (GEBF), at National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). NFWF has a long history of funding Gulf Coast restoration, and following the BP Oil Spill, a settlement agreement gave NFWF $2.54 billion to work with the five Gulf states (FL, AL, MS, LA, TX) for coastal habitat and wildlife restoration. Six years into the program about half that funding has been obligated. Hear about some of the biggest successes to date, as well as what the future holds, and learn why a private non-profit foundation has as much or more influence in Gulf Coast restoration as many government agencies.
This transcription was generated by a computer. Please excuse any errors.
Derek BrockbankDerek Brockbank is Executive Director of Coastal States Organization (CSO), which represents the nation’s Coastal States, Territories, and Commonwealths on ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes issues. With two decades of experience in Washington DC on coastal adaptation policy and organizational development, Derek is connecting state coastal management programs with federal agencies and resources in order to address the greatest coastal challenges facing society. He previously served as executive director for the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) where he led the strategic planning and outreach, government affairs, and development goals of the nation’s leading organization advocating for beach and coastal restoration. Prior to starting with ASBPA, Derek worked as campaign director for a coalition effort to restore the Mississippi River Delta and Coastal Louisiana, and was part of a gulf-wide campaign to pass the RESTORE Act, securing billions of dollars for Gulf Coast restoration. This followed up on his work with National Wildlife Federation on climate adaption. Derek grew up in New York City and got his coastal education from an early age playing on the beaches of Long Island, and kayaking and fishing in Peconic Bay.
