The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA)
History
NAWCA was enacted in 1989 and provides Federal cost-share funding to support the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. NAWCA is a non-regulatory, incentive-based, voluntary wildlife conservation program. Both Houses unanimously reauthorized NAWCA in September 2006. The appropriation authorization for NAWCA was increased to $75 million for FY 2007 through FY 2012.
NAWCA stimulates public-private partnerships to protect, restore, and manage wetland habitats for a diversity of migratory birds and other wildlife. NAWCA partnership grants play an important role in meeting the DU mission, from restoring wetlands that have been altered, and enhancing water availability, to reducing soil erosion and the likelihood of floods. In addition, many projects provide outstanding recreational opportunities, from bird watching to hunting.
NAWCA provides challenge grants for wetlands conservation projects in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Every $1 of federal money allotted to NAWCA must be matched by $1 or more from non-federal sources like Ducks Unlimited, or state fish and wildlife agencies. Because this program is so effective, funds are often tripled or quadrupled at the local level.
In Washington, D.C., the Ducks Unlimited Governmental Affairs staff works with Congress in support of annual funding for NAWCA so we can keep building on the Act's waterfowl conservation success. Please help
To date, NAWCA has helped fund over 1,600 projects on over 23 million acres in all 50 states, areas of Canada and areas of Mexico. More than 3,000 partners, including private landowners, industry and state governments have worked together to conserve wildlife habitat through NAWCA grants.
See Also:
NAWCA Fact Sheet
NAWCA Application Materials:
More Information