The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.
The Canaveral National Seashore (CANA) grant program focuses on the conservation and preservation of a diverse range of habitats and species within the 57,000 acres it encompasses along the east coast of central Florida. The area is significant for its coastal, estuarine, and upland habitats, including pine flatwoods, hammock, beach dune, freshwater wetlands, coastal strand, salt marsh, and mangrove shrublands. Development within CANA is minimal, primarily limited to public beach access, to preserve the integrity of the environment. The grant supports efforts to protect nationally important marine turtle nesting habitats, populations of terrestrial species like the southeastern beach mouse, gopher tortoise, and eastern indigo snake, as well as salt marsh and mangrove inhabitants like the Atlantic salt marsh snake and various birds. Additionally, the grant aims to preserve the area's cultural resources, spanning human history from 2000 BC to the early 20th century, making it a significant endeavor for both environmental and historical conservation.