NAWCA is synonymous with collaborative projects that help create thriving habitats for birds and other wildlife, build storm- and disaster-resilient communities, and support outdoor recreation industries, including hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and photography. The restored and enhanced wetlands funded by NAWCA grants also reduce soil erosion, lower flood frequency, recharge groundwater reserves, and improve air and water quality.
But what is NAWCA?
The History of NAWCA
NAWCA stands for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and the associated Grant Program. Administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NAWCA fosters public-private partnerships to protect, restore, enhance, and manage wetland habitats for a wide diversity of migratory birds and other wildlife. It operates across the United States, Canada, and Mexico and is a non-regulatory, entirely voluntary conservation grant program.
NAWCA was established in 1989 as part of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan—an international, long-term strategy to protect wetlands and other habitats that migratory birds depend on. This program is a large-scale response to the loss of more than half of the wetlands in the United States by the 1980s and the continued loss and conversion of wetlands over time. Since its inception, NAWCA has supported over 2,400 projects across more than 11.7 million acres in all 50 U.S. states.
Rooted in Partnerships
Its success is rooted in partnerships: to date, over 6,200 partners—including private landowners, industries, and state governments—have contributed to NAWCA-funded U.S. projects. For more than 30 years, NAWCA has been a driving force in waterfowl and wetland conservation, which have seen stable or increasing populations since the 1980s, while populations of other taxa and habitat/species groups declined.
In addition to its environmental impact, the program is highly effective and cost-efficient. Every federal dollar invested in a NAWCA project is matched by non-federal dollars, including private and state fish and wildlife agency funds. This means funds are often doubled or tripled at the local level, helping federal dollars go even further. To date, more than $1.45 billion in U.S. NAWCA grants have leveraged over $3.6 billion in additional funds through matching contributions.
Impact of NAWCA on the Ground
Migratory Bird Joint Ventures work closely with the NAWCA program to deliver projects that align with regional Joint Venture priorities and international-scale NAWCA goals. Within the U.S. service area of the Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture, this translates into $59 million in funded projects, supporting conservation on more than 200,000 acres. In Canada, $85 million (CAD) in NAWCA grants have supported conservation on over 158,000 acres.
These investments have tangible benefits for wildlife and communities throughout the Pacific Birds' geography, as demonstrated by the examples below.
In Alaska, a NAWCA-funded project led by the Great Land Trust conserved priority coastal marshes, estuaries, and freshwater wetlands—critical bird habitats in Southcentral Alaska. The project spans five sites, including the Potter Marsh unit of the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge - Anchorage's premier birding site, the Alaska Native corporation-managed Eklutna River Estuary, and the Mat-Su Borough Settlers Bay Coastal Park. Potter Marsh brings over 200,000 visitors to Anchorage each year, and improved access and restoration support the local economy through increased tourism and recreation opportunities. Together, these habitats support thousands of waterfowl, shorebirds, and other migratory wetland-associated birds. Improved water management will enhance connectivity and maintain consistent water levels that reduce flood and drought risk. The project also increases access for hunting, fishing, birdwatching, and other recreational activities.
In 2019, in Oregon and Washington, NAWCA supported the Tualatin River Basin -- Lower Columbia River Estuary Regional Partnership project led by the Columbia Land Trust. The project restored 1,200 acres of wetlands and 462 acres of adjacent uplands ranging from the Washington coast to the Willamette Valley. While each project area is different, overall, the project improved wildlife viewing, recreation, and hunting access for communities throughout the region. For example, in the Vancouver / Portland area, viewing access for Sandhill Cranes was dramatically increased as a result of this project. Additional infrastructure improvements on specific project sites helped improve the water quality and hydrology, benefiting tidally dependent plants and animals. Through the restoration process, the project provided job opportunities for local communities and continues to do so through projects that went on after the grant period.
Kawainui Marsh State Wildlife Sanctuary, Hawai‘i’s largest wetland, was awarded a NAWCA grant to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, to remove non-native species and restore native habitat. The project resulted in enhanced knowledge of non-native species removal and the creation of additional mudflats, open water, and growth of native vegetation. These areas provide habitat for endangered Hawaiian waterbirds such as the ‘alae ‘ula (Hawaiian Gallinule), ‘alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian Coot), and ae‘o (Hawaiian Stilt). The enhanced wetland will also support up to 30 species of migratory waterfowl and shorebirds, while benefiting nearby communities through improved flood and storm resilience, enhanced water filtration services, and healthier waters.
NAWCA is more than just dollars—it’s a partnership-building tool that makes conservation more effective and efficient. Restored wetlands ensure that birds and other wildlife thrive long into the future. But the benefits extend far beyond wetlands: restored wetlands improve storm infrastructure, build resilience to sea level rise, support cleaner air and water, and create economic and recreational opportunities for communities.
To learn more about NAWCA, visit our NAWCA page and the USFWS website.
