Groundwork Jacksonville has been awarded nearly $6 million in federal grants toward the restoration of Hogans and McCoys creeks.
The two grants from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are part of $265 million in funding for 38 habitat restoration and coastal resilience projects this year that will help in the recovery of threatened and endangered species.
Groundwork Jacksonville was established in 2014 as the city's nonprofit partner in building the Emerald Trail, 30 miles of trails, greenways and parks that will encircle the urban core and link at least 14 historic neighborhoods.
CEO Kay Ehas said the work funded by NOAA will fit into the bigger trail project.
“Both of those creeks end up being 6 miles of that 30-mile trail system," Ehas said. "So, the creeks will be the ‘gems’ so to speak of the 30-mile Emerald Trail because of all the nature and natural area it’ll bring."
The timeline is to have all their projects involving the Emerald Trail completed by 2030.
You can hear the entire interview with Ehas at First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross.
