North American Wetlands Conservation Fund
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Who has received this funding
Organizations awarded under CFDA 15.623 (USAspending.gov).
- Ducks Unlimited Canada 6 awards $183,859,719
- The Nature Conservancy $3,000,000
- Open Space Institute Land Trust, Inc $3,000,000
- Ducks Unlimited, Inc. $3,000,000
- The Nature Conservancy Of Canada $3,000,000
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
To provide funds for wetlands conservation projects in North America to benefit bird populations in the United States.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Unrestricted by Entity Type
- Unrestricted by Individual Type
Available to private or public organizations or to individuals who have developed partnerships to carry out wetlands conservation projects in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Applications go through eligibility review processes by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff, and further review and ranking processes by the North American Wetlands Conservation Council (Council) Staff. Grant proposals are recommended for approval by the Council to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (Commission). The Council recommends proposals twice a year, in preparation for the Spring and Fall meetings of the Commission, when final funding is approved. The grants are administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Division of Bird Habitat Conservation. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service oversees the process of ensuring that projects are compliant with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, before projects are recommended by Council to the Commission.
The range of time from proposal submission to the approval/disapproval notification is 7 to 10 months
Program details & compliance
Description
North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) funds support the protection, restoration, and enhancement of wetlands and associated habitats across North America to benefit waterfowl and other wildlife found in the United States. These projects must provide long-term conservation benefits for migratory birds, fish, and other wildlife. Please note that funds derived from the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act are restricted to U.S. coastal ecosystems. For detailed eligibility criteria, administration standards, and proposal instructions, visit the NAWCA website: https://www.fws.gov/program/north-american-wetlands-conservation.
Mission Categories
Primary: Fish and Wildlife Preservation
Other categories:
RecreationLand and Forest Conservation
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Funds may be used to acquire real property interest in lands or waters, including water rights. Funds may also be used to restore, manage, and/or enhance wetland ecosystems and other habitat for migratory birds and other fish and wildlife. Projects must provide long-term conservation for wetlands-associated migratory birds and other wetlands-associated wildlife. Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration act-derived funds eligible for NAWCA projects may be used only in U.S. coastal wetlands ecosystems. More specific restrictions are outlined on the NAWCA grants information and instructions website. For further information, please contact the headquarters office. 100% of funding is discretionary.
Matching Requirements
The required matching share varies on a grant-by-grant basis and is set forth in the grant award, but must be at least 50 percent of the project costs, except that the project activities located on Federal lands and waters can be funded with 100 percent Federal funding. NAWCA grants require a minimum 1-to-1 non-federal match, meaning for every dollar requested, at least one dollar must be contributed by partners. Matching funds must be non-federal, can be cash or in-kind (land value, services, equipment), and must be directly linked to project activities.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements