Protecting, restoring and enhancing wetland habitat for birds across the continent.

What We Do

Our Projects and Initiatives

Blue-winged teal
Image Details
Blue-winged teal, a NAWCA priority species. Photo by Ernesto Gomez/Program Officer at Pronatura Península de Yucatán (Pronatura PPY) for NAWCA Mexico grant projects

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) is a federal law that provides grants for projects that protect, restore, and enhance wetland habitats critical for migratory birds across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. 

NAWCA-funded projects align with the goals of the historic North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP), an international strategy dedicated to conserving wetlands and associated uplands for waterfowl and other migratory birds.

Since 1991, NAWCA has supported 3,300 projects for over 7,000 partners, conserving more than 32.6 million acres of vital habitat. These efforts have been made possible through $2.28 billion in grants and an additional $4.53 billion in partner contributions. NAWCA projects not only benefit birds but also help to improve water quality, reduce flooding risks, minimize coastal erosion, and create valuable opportunities for outdoor recreation, enhancing both ecosystems and communities. You can find more information about these grants in the project database.

Latest Stories and Topics

Stories
Vast flooded mudflat with a wide snow-capped mountain range visible in the distance.
Wildlife Management
Interior Announces More Than $54 Million for Waterfowl Habitat, Increased Public Access on Refuges
WASHINGTON – The Department of the Interior today announced more than $54 million from the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund has been approved by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, providing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the ability to conserve 21,737 acres of waterfowl habitat and...
A long-necked duck with a brown head and a white neck and long tail feathers swims on a body of water.
Wildlife Management
Interior Department Announces $102.9 Million for Wetland Conservation Projects
WASHINGTON – The Department of the Interior today announced $102.9 million in North American Wetlands Conservation Act funding has been approved by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, providing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its partners the ability to conserve, restore or enhance ...
Northern Pintail in flight over wetland
Migratory Species
A New Era for Pintail Regulations
A new interim harvest strategy introduces changes to Northern pintail hunting regulations, shaped by decades of research and long-term population monitoring. Explore how this science-based approach is being used to guide decisions that balance hunting opportunities with the conservation of pintail...
Migratory Species
North American Wetlands Conservation Grant Opportunities
Funding opportunities for conservation projects that enhance, restore, or protect wetland habitats for the benefit of waterfowl and other migratory birds in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Graphic with a biodiverse wetland of plants and various bird species
Migratory Species
Shared Skies: Monarchs & Migratory Birds
What do monarchs and migratory birds have in common? They embark on epic migrations each fall — and face similar threats along the way. Discover how conservation efforts can benefit both groups and learn what you can do to help.
Judges at the 2024 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest hold the winning artwork.
Get Involved
South Dakota Artist Adam Grimm Wins 2024 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest
After two days of competition, Adam Grimm of Wallace, South Dakota, emerged as the winner of the 2024 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest with an acrylic painting of a pair of spectacled eiders. The announcement was made at an in-person event and via livestream at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich,...
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Our Services

Lesser scaup swimming
North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) U.S. Standard Grants

NAWCA U.S. Standard grants are competitive, matching grants that support public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the U.S. that involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the benefit of all wetlands-associated...

Green-Winged Teal
North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) U.S. Small Grants

NAWCA Small Grants are competitive, matching grants that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the U.S. that involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the benefit of all wetlands-associated migratory...

Wood stork perched on a branch with a sky background
North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) Mexico Grants

The Mexico program's goal is to promote partnerships between public agencies and groups interested in:

Protecting, improving, restoring, and managing an appropriate distribution and variety of wetland ecosystems and other habitats for wetlands-associated migratory birds and other fish and...
A male Steller's eider with a pair of spectacled eider at the edge of a tundra pond
North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) Canada Grants

NAWCA Canada grants are competitive, matching grants that support public-private partnerships carrying out projects in Canada that involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the benefit of all wetlands-associated migratory birds...

Our Library

Overlooking a wetland surrounded by brown and tan grassland and shrubland
North American Wetlands Conservation Act Documents
This collection includes documents for both applicants and grantees of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant program. There are resources to help navigate the application process and fill out the necessary paperwork to administer grants.
Library Collection
17 Items
Two green, red, brown, black & white male wood ducks glide across a reflective water
North American Wetlands Conservation Act Biennial Reports
North American Wetlands Conservation Act, Section 10. REPORT TO CONGRESS: The Secretary shall report to the appropriate Committees on the implementation of this Act. The report shall include: (1) a biennial assessment of: (A) the estimated number of acres of wetlands and habitat for waterfowl and...
Library Collection
19 Items