The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission selections for the 2016 North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) standard grants. Among them are three Midwest Region projects totaling $3 million to benefit habitat important to our migratory birds.
One of those projects receiving a $1 million grant is the Mukwonago Fox Focus Area II, in Wisconsin, matched by an additional $2.68 million from project partners. This project will result in protection, restoration and enhancement of 2,435 acres of critical wetland and riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian habitat, including adjacent uplands within both the Mukwonago and Fox River Watersheds.
“This is our year for the birds as we celebrate these grants and also the centennial of the Migratory Bird Treaty, said Anna Sidie-Slettedahl, Assistant Joint Venture Coordinator, “This particular project fits beautifully into the purpose of that treaty and caters to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s bird conservation efforts by targeting crucial breeding and migration habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, colonial waterbirds, as well as migratory songbirds.”
This Ducks Unlimited led partnership will develop a comprehensive strategy for the focus area, using land protection and wetland management and restoration to restore bird populations in this important area for migratory birds in the upper Midwest.
“Partnerships like this one are critical to accomplishing our shared bird conservation goals,” said Joint Venture Coordinator Andy Forbes. “By leveraging federal dollars with partner funds, we are able to achieve a great deal more ‘on the ground’ benefits for wetlands, birds, and other wildlife than we would if we were working independently.”
Thanks to the work provided for by these NAWCA grants, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its partners nationally will be able to conserve or restore 275,000 acres of wetland and associated upland habitats for waterfowl, shorebirds and other birds across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Nationally a total of $48 million was awarded in grants approved by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission. These grants will be matched by $86 million in partner funds.
“One hundred years ago, we signed the first Migratory Bird Treaty with Canada, recognizing that protecting our shared migratory birds requires an international effort,” said Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, who chairs the Commission. “As we celebrate the centennial of this landmark conservation treaty, these projects with our partners in the U.S., Mexico and Canada show the spirit of international cooperation is still strong and making a lasting difference for bird populations.”
Also receiving $1 million NAWCA standard grants in the Midwest Region are the Border Prairie Wetlands project by Pheasants Forever, in Minnesota, and the Upper Iowa Prairie Pothole project by Ducks Unlimited in Iowa. The Minnesota project also includes an anticipated $3.66 million in matching funds, and the Iowa project includes a $2.45 million match.
The Service also announced the NAWCA small grants, which include 21 projects in the Midwest Region and total $1.57 million in grants and an anticipated total of over $6 million in matching funds.
Those projects are:
Illinois
Friends of Hackmatack Wetlands Conservation Project (includes Wisconsin)
Middle Illinois River Partnership
Pingree Wetlands Restoration
Iowa
Iowa Prairie Potholes Prairie Potholes
These freshwater marshes are found in the upper Midwestern prairies, especially the Dakotas and Minnesota. Depressions that were created by retreating glaciers about 10,000 years ago;, they fill with water during spring, providing important habitat for waterfowl and many other species. Indeed, the Prairie Pothole Region is often called America’s “duck factory” since around half of the continent’s ducks spend at least part of the year there. The prairie potholes are an important water source, and they help recharge underground aquifers.
Learn more about Prairie Potholes Grassland Enhancement
Des Moines River Valley Wetlands II
Minnesota
Martin County Minnesota Wetlands
Mud Lake Waterfowl Production Area
Arlington Wildlife Management Area Addition
Minnesota Valley Waterfowl Production Areas
Rich Valley Wildlife Management Area
Prairie Coteau Wetland and Nesting Cover Enhancement
Prairie Coteau Grasslands Enhancement
Big Stone County Habitat Enhancement
Minnesota Valley Wetlands
Carlos Avery Wetlands
Wisconsin
Avon Bottoms Important Bird Area Acquisition
Lower Chippewa Important Bird Area Wetland Restoration
Ten Mile Creek Conservation Area
Northwest Wisconsin Phase IV
Laas Wetland Acquisition
Big Muskego Restoration
