A coastal salt marsh with open water, marsh grasses and autumn trees under a clear blue sky.
NAWCA
The Funding Behind the Vision

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act is a federal law passed by Congress in 1989 that provides grants to protect, restore, and enhance wetland habitats critical for migratory birds across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. NAWCA is a primary funding mechanism for projects aligned with the goals of the NAWMP and other continental bird conservation plans. To understand the vision that drives this work, explore the Plan.

Explore The Plan
ORIGINS
From Vision to Law

As the 1986 NAWMP began to take shape, it became clear that a dedicated funding source was essential to turn the plan's vision into on-the-ground conservation. Former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell introduced NAWCA on April 17, 1989, and within eight months President George H.W. Bush had signed it into law. The act established a cost-sharing program funded through congressional appropriations, Migratory Bird Treaty Act fines and penalties, and interest on unallocated Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act funds, ensuring sustained international support for wetland conservation.

Explore the NAWMP Timeline
Senator George Mitchell, who introduced the North American Wetlands Conservation Act in 1989
IMPACT
35+ Years of Conservation
3K+
Grants Awarded
Across the United States, Canada, and México since 1991
33M
Acres Conserved
Consisting of vital wetland and associated habitats conserved across the continent
22 JVs
Joint Venture Partnerships
Habitat conservation delivery within Migratory Bird Joint Ventures
"NAWCA projects not only benefit birds but also help to improve water quality, reduce flooding risks, minimize coastal erosion, and create valuable opportunities for outdoor recreation." — 2024 NAWMP Update
IMPACT
The Investment Behind the Work
$2.3B
In Grants Awarded
Distributed through four competitive grant programs since the program began
7,100
Partners Engaged
Bringing together goverments, NGOs, Indigenous communities and landowners
$4.5B
In Partner Contributions
Leverage through NAWCA's proven costsharing model across the partnership
A wetland pond with shoreline grasses, rocks and surrounding forest.
A wetland at Pine Mountain Preserve in Norfolk, Connecticut, shows the habitat connections among open water, shoreline vegetation and forested landscapes.
Tricia Andriski / USFWS

Roles & Responsibilities

Four Ways to Fund Conservation

NAWCA administers four competitive grant programs open to public agencies and private organizations working to protect, restore, and enhance wetland habitats for migratory birds. All programs require a 1:1 non-federal match. In practice, this means:

  • U.S. Small Grants — Up to $250,000 per project; once-a-year cycle
  • U.S. Standard Grants — Up to $3,000,000 per project; twice-yearly cycle
  • Canadian Standard Grants — No grant maximum; once-a-year cycle, minimum 50% U.S. non-federal match
  • México Standard Grants — Up to $1,000,000 per project; once-a-year cycle

Connect

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