The US Department of the Interior has announced the approval of $44.79 million in federal grants under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) to conserve, restore, or enhance 185,203 acres of critical wetland and upland habitats across the United States.
Approved by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, the federal funding will be combined with more than $88.98 million in non-federal partner matching funds, representing a total investment of over $133 million across 16 ecological projects in 16 states.
In a simultaneous allocation, the Commission approved an additional $22.6 million from the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund to acquire 5,254 acres of waterfowl habitat to expand three existing national wildlife refuges. The move is designed to boost outdoor recreation industries and increase public access for hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation.
The NAWCA initiative operates as a highly leveraged competitive grant framework, typically drawing double the legally required dollar-for-dollar non-federal match from state agencies, tribal governments, private landowners, conservation groups, and sportsmen’s organizations.
“The North American Wetlands Conservation Act is among our most successful tools for the conservation of migratory birds throughout the United States,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, who chairs the Commission. “These grants support public-private partnerships that help ensure healthy, productive wetland ecosystems that benefit wildlife and people.”
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik noted the broader economic impacts of the ecosystem funding. “Projects made possible through North American Wetlands Conservation Act grants make an investment in wetland conservation, supporting local economies and boosting outdoor recreation industries,” Nesvik stated.
The separate $22.6 million acquisition fund for the National Wildlife Refuge System is derived primarily from the sale of Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps—commonly known as Duck Stamps—alongside import duties on firearms and ammunition.
The Fish and Wildlife Service will use these specific funds to purchase fee-title or easement acreage from willing sellers at the following locations:
Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge (Illinois): $815,000 allocated to secure 76 acres.
Moody National Wildlife Refuge (Texas): $9,686,500 allocated to secure 3,535 acres.
Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge (Virginia): $12,103,300 allocated to secure 1,643 acres.
