A Historic Agreement Between Two Nations
Beginning with the first-ever North American Waterfowl Management Plan, signed by Secretaries in Canada and the United States, the original NAWMP laid the foundation of multinational waterfowl management that is carried on and built upon today.
The inaugural North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP), signed in May 1986 by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior and the Canadian Minister of the Environment, marked a historic milestone in international wildlife conservation. This groundbreaking agreement — the first of its kind for migratory birds — emerged in response to alarmingly low waterfowl populations across the continent, forging an unprecedented partnership between Canada and the United States to address shared challenges through coordinated habitat protection, restoration, and enhancement.
A Foundation Still Being Built Upon
Today, this enduring legacy continues to evolve and inspire, as successive updates to the Plan build upon its pioneering principles, strengthening biological goals, fostering broader alliances with other bird conservation initiatives, and guiding successful habitat conservation efforts across North America. The 1986 signing remains a cornerstone achievement, demonstrating the power of unified action to safeguard migratory species for future generations.
