The North American Wetlands Conservation Act of 1989 provides matching grants to organizations and partnerships to carry out wetlands conservation projects through four grant programs: the U.S. Standard Grant Program, U.S. Small Grant Program, Mexico Program, and Canada Program.
Projects funded through these grants are consistent with the North American Waterfowl Management Plan , an international agreement and strategy for the long-term protection of wetlands and associated upland habitats to support waterfowl and other migratory birds.
The North American Wetlands Conservation Council (the Council) reviews eligible proposals in two cycles per year. The Council may directly approve Small Grants and recommends Standard Grant projects to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission , a seven-member commission authorized by NAWCA.
This program has helped conserve over 32.6 million acres of wetlands and associated upland habitats that benefit birds and other wildlife while also establishing or enhancing many of the continents most popular destinations for hunting and birding.
Since 1991, more than 7,000 partners have received more than $2.28 billion in grants for more than 3,300 projects. Those partners have contributed another $4.53 billion in matching funds to improve more than 32.6 million acres of habitat, totaling more than $6.8 billion for wetland conservation that also benefits people, birds and other wildlife.
You can search for information on both our NAWCA and Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) funded projects in our grants database.
The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), enacted December 13, 1989, provides funding and administrative direction for implementation of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and the Tripartite Agreement on wetlands between Canada, U.S. and Mexico.
NAWCA grants are funded through federal appropriations as well as fines, penalties and forfeitures collected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act ; and from interest accrued on Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act funds. NAWCA also receives funds from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund to support projects in U.S. coastal areas.
