NAWCA
The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) of 1989 provides matching grants to partnerships for wetlands conservation projects in the United States, Canada, and Mexico for the benefit of wetlands-associated migratory birds and other wildlife. NAWCA was passed, in part, to support activities under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, an international agreement that provides strategic waterfowl habitat conservation.
Reflecting Congressional and public support, Congress authorizes approximately $75 million in NAWCA appropriations annually. NAWCA funding comes from: Congressionally appropriated funds; moneys received from fines, penalties, and forfeitures under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918; and from interest accrued on the fund established under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937. Approximately $77 million has been made available for NAWCA grants from all sources in recent years.
NAWCA has been the most significant funder of wetlands conservation in the Intermountain West over the last 20 years, delivering a total of $48.8 million in federal dollars for highly focused and effective projects. Please see the attached link for a list of projects funded with the IWJV to date.
Previously Funded NAWCA Projects
For help preparing your NAWCA Grant, please contact IWJV Assistant Coordinator Ali Duvall.
Standard Grants
The U.S. Standard Grants Program is a competitive, matching grants program that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the United States that further the goals of NAWCA. These projects must involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the benefit of all wetlands-associated migratory birds. The U.S. Standard Grants Program began supporting projects in the United States in 1990, shortly after the North American Wetlands Conservation Act of 1989 was passed. This program has been receiving 50 percent of the total available funding for Act-supported projects each fiscal year (about $40 million annually).
The IWJV annually reviews and ranks all NAWCA grants from the Intermountain West and provides recommendations to the North American Wetlands Conservation Council Staff. As such, our staff is extremely well versed in this important program and can provide valuable assistance to potential applicants. We endeavor to help our JV partners submit the best slate of projects annually. As you may know, the NAWCA Standard Grants application process is rigorous and applications take a great deal of time and effort to prepare. It is advantageousto work closely with IWJV staff on all NAWCA Standard Grant proposals.
Small Grants
The Small Grants Program supports the same type of projects and adheres to the same selection criteria and administrative guidelines as the U.S. Standard Grants Program. However, project activities are usually smaller in scope and involve fewer project dollars. Grant requests may not exceed $75,000, and funding priority is given to grantees or partners new to the Act’s Grants Program. The Council is currently allocating about $3 million per year for Small Grants.
The IWJV is actively assisting our partners in competing for NAWCA Small Grants. We believe that excellent opportunity exists for an increased number of Small Grants to be awarded to partners in the Intermountain West. Through FY 2008, IWJV projects had received only $856,102 in Small Grants funding in 12 years, less than the Atlantic Coast JV in FY 2006 alone. We are actively working to improve the understanding of JV partners in what makes a competitive NAWCA Small Grant application. Please contact the IWJV Assistant Coordinator, Ali Duval for assistance on NAWCA Small Grants. Proposals for Small Grants are due annually in late October.