--- title: "America’s Ecosystem Restoration Initiative (AERI)" date: 2026-03-10 author: "Ashley Buckley" featured_image: "https://www.ectinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AS_219076453_Piping-Plover-Chicks-scaled.jpeg" --- # America’s Ecosystem Restoration Initiative (AERI) # America’s Ecosystem Restoration Initiative (AERI) [**America’s Ecosystem Restoration Initiative (AERI)**](https://www.nfwf.org/programs/americas-ecosystem-restoration-initiative) is a national conservation funding program launched in 2022 and administered by the **[National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)](https://www.nfwf.org/)**. AERI supports locally led, large-scale ecosystem restoration efforts that advance habitat connectivity, watershed health, resilience, and community-based conservation across the United States. ECT’s Field Liaison Team works with NFWF to support existing AERI grantees throughout project implementation. The team provides ongoing coordination with NFWF and grantees through virtual and in-person engagement, including meetings, webinars, and site visits to help address challenges as they arise and support outreach and success story development. This page offers resources and support for existing AERI grantees, including Field Liaison assistance, project support tools, and success stories. For additional support or further information,**[ contact ECT’s Field Liaison team](mailto:nationalprogramliaisons@ectinc.com)**. Register for Upcoming Lunch and Learns Lunch and Learn sessions are grantee-led presentations where AERI grantees can share their project successes, lessons learned, and challenges with the broader AERI community. Interested in presenting your project? [Contact us](mailto:NationalProgramLiaisons@ectinc.com). *Registration details coming soon.* Lunch and Learn Recordings Lunch and Learn recordings coming soon. Contact Us For more information, contact **** or [**schedule a meeting**](https://outlook.office.com/book/NFWFAERILiaisonBookingsPage@ectinc.com/?ismsaljsauthenabled) with our Field Liaison Team. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Have questions about the AERI program? View the FAQ document for answers to common questions from grantees. [ View the FAQ Document ](https://www.ectinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AERI_FAQ.pdf) Lunch and Learn sessions are grantee-led presentations where AERI grantees can share their project successes, lessons learned, and challenges with the broader AERI community. Interested in presenting your project? [Contact us](mailto:NationalProgramLiaisons@ectinc.com). *Registration details coming soon.* Lunch and Learn recordings coming soon. For more information, contact **** or [**schedule a meeting**](https://outlook.office.com/book/NFWFAERILiaisonBookingsPage@ectinc.com/?ismsaljsauthenabled) with our Field Liaison Team. Have questions about the AERI program? View the FAQ document for answers to common questions from grantees. [ View the FAQ Document ](https://www.ectinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AERI_FAQ.pdf) # View More Success Stories ![](https://www.ectinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/AdobeStock_360941712-scaled.jpeg) ###### Letting the Stream Find its way again *A decade-long effort in Washington, D.C., is working to reconnect a deeply incised tributary to the floodplain that once sustained it.* [ Read the Story ](https://www.ectinc.com/letting-the-stream-find-its-way-again/) ## NFWF National Programs Field Liaisons ECT provides a nationally distributed Field Liaison Team that supports NFWF’s National Programs Team, applicants, and grantees across multiple programs [ Learn More ](https://www.ectinc.com/nfwf-national-programs-field-liaisons/) ## Western Big Game Fund The Western Big Game Seasonal Habitat and Migration Corridors Fund aims to conserve critical winter range and migration corridors to maintain healthy populations of pronghorn, elk and mule deer, and the phenomenon of big game migration. [ Learn More ](https://www.ectinc.com/western-big-game-fund) ## Healthy American Forests Initiative (HAFI) The HAFI program supports watershed restoration and vegetation management projects on National Forest System lands to improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk, and strengthen community and ecosystem resilience. [ Learn More ](https://www.ectinc.com/healthy-american-forests-initiative-hafi/)