The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission recently approved more than $29 million in federal funding for protection and management of nearly 190,000 acres of wetlands and associated habitats in the United States to benefit ducks and other waterfowl under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA).
In the Midwest Region, two projects in Wisconsin and one in Michigan will receive grants of $1 million each to protect, restore and enhance nearly 6,800 acres of wetland and upland habitat. NAWCA funding for these projects will be matched by nearly $15 million in other federal and non-federal partner dollars.
Fifteen projects in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin also received funding through the NAWCA Small Grants Program. These projects will protect restore and enhance 2,608 acres of wetland and upland habitat, matched by $3.2 million in total partner funding.
“The work of the commission continues to provide vital support for wetlands and waterfowl conservation across North America,” said Secretary Kempthorne. “The President has charged the Department of the Interior to bring more of Americas bird species into a healthy and sustainable status. The North American Wetlands Conservation Act and other work presided over by the commission complements and strengthens other Interior efforts, such as the Birds Forever Initiative, better enabling us to secure habitat and ensure a promising future for our nations birds.”
Nationally, partners in these projects will contribute an additional $119.6 million in funds to help these conservation efforts. The grants are funded by annual Congressional appropriations; fines, penalties and forfeitures levied under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act; interest accrued on funds under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act; and excise taxes paid on small engine fuels through the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Fund.
NAWCA Standard Grant projects approved in the Midwest are:
Wisconsin Northwest Pothole Habitat Initiative - Phase V
This effort will focus on nine counties in northwest Wisconsin and will protect, restore and enhance 1,108 acres of wetland and 2,740 acres of upland habitat. The grantee is Ducks Unlimited and partners are the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Pheasants Forever, Inc., Polk County Land and Water Resources, West Wisconsin Land Trust, Star Prairie Fish and Game Association, Standing Cedars Community Land Conservancy, Mark Johnson (private landowner) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Non-federal partners contributed $7,368,564 as a match, and an additional $2,227,209 was contributed by federal partners.
7St. Marys River Bird Migration Corridor - Phase III
Approximately 619 acres of habitat at various locations in Chippewa and Mackinac counties will be acquired and protected. These acquisitions will also protect about four miles of riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian shoreline. Partners involved with this project include Les Cheneaux Foundation, The Nature Conservancy (MI chapter), the Offield Family Foundation, Bruce Wallace, John Woollam, Hugh Covert, Clyde Williams and the U.S. Forest Service. Non-federal partners contributed $2,118,000 and an additional $69,000 was contributed by federal partners.
South-central Wisconsin Prairie Pothole Initiative IV
This effort, focusing on 11 counties in southern Wisconsin, will protect and restore 1,107 acres of wetland and 1,216 acres of upland habitat. The grantee is Madison Audubon Society and partners include the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy, Pheasants Forever, Inc., Natural Heritage Land Trust, Dane County Parks, Waukesha County Land Conservancy, Wisconsin Waterfowl Association, Ducks Unlimited, Inc., private landowners and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Non-federal partners contributed $3,062,444 and an additional $65,000 was contributed by federal partners.
All three of these projects are in the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture. The acquisition of wildlife habitats associated with the projects will advance goals identified in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture 2007 Implementation Plan, Partners in Flight, North American Waterbird Conservation Plan, North American Waterbird Conservation Plan and state wildlife action plans. Priority migratory birds that will benefit from these projects include mallards, lesser scaup, American bittern, Henslow’s sparrow and black terns.
The NAWCA Standard and Small Grants Programs requires, at a minimum, that the grant amount is matched with non-federal contributions. These are typically made by state, tribal and other non-federal government organizations.
In addition to the three Standard Grants, the North American Wetlands Conservation Council approved grants for 10 projects under the NAWCA Small Grants Program. Grants totaling $690,436 will fund 10 projects in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. Combined non-federal partner contributions for these projects are $1,964,000. The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission had pre-approved the council to fund up to $2.5 million dollars of worthy habitat projects.
Collectively, these projects will protect, restore and enhance 1,011 acres of wetland and 870 acres of wetland associated upland habitat. All of these projects will benefit priority migratory birds and other wetland associated wildlife. Individually and cumulatively, these projects will advance the goals identified in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, the 2007 Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture Implementation Plan, Partners in Flight, U.S. Shorebird Plan and the North American Waterbird Conservation Plan.
The work accomplished through these projects will also help achieve goals identified in the state wildlife action plans for each state.
Five grants totaling $348,333 will benefit migratory birds and associated wildlife species in the Minnesota portion of the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture. Collectively, these projects will protect, restore and enhance 637 acres of wetland and wetland associated upland habitat, benefitting priority migratory birds and other wetland associated wildlife species.
The combined non-federal partner contribution for this effort was $1,251,083.
Individually and cumulatively, these five projects will advance the goals identified in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture Implementation Plan, Partners in Flight, U.S. Shorebird Plan, North American Waterbird Conservation Plan and the Minnesota State Wildlife Action Plan.
The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission meets three times a year and includes U.S. Senators Thad Cochran and Blanche Lincoln, U.S. Representative John Dingell, Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer, and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen L. Johnson, with Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne serving as chairman.
Additional information about the North American Wetlands Conservation Act can be found at:
http://www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/Grants/NAWCA/index.shtm
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov.
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