Historical Timeline

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.

A key strength of the NAWMP process has been its strong emphasis on continuity and careful coordination. This approach has empowered wildlife management agencies across North America to successfully implement a wide range of short- and long-term projects that align with the Plan's ambitious and shared goals.

In the summer of 1986, just months after the landmark signing of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) by Canada and the United States in May, a pivotal innovation took flight: the establishment of Joint Ventures in July. These regional partnerships were born as the engine of the Plan, designed to turn ambitious continental goals into tangible, on-the-ground action for reversing the alarming declines in waterfowl populations and their vital wetland habitats.

With the help of key legislators like Senator George Mitchell of Maine and Representative Silvio Conte of Massachusetts, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, or NAWCA, was introduced. In 1989, the Senate and House passed NAWCA, and President George H.W. Bush signed it into law on December 13, 1989. Bush also pledged a new policy of "no net loss of wetlands," marking a bold federal commitment to halting the rapid disappearance of these vital ecosystems across the continent.

In a landmark expansion that truly made the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) a continent-wide endeavor, México joined as a full partner in June 1994, signing onto the Plan's first major update. This step completed the tri-national framework, building on initial involvement that began as early as 1988 and formalizing México's role as a signatory to the conservation action plan. The update, titled "Expanding the Commitment," was signed by representatives from Canada, the United States, and México — specifically, México's Secretario de Desarrollo Social — renewing and broadening the original 1986 agreement to address ongoing habitat losses and population declines across borders.

The 1994 Update to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, aptly titled "Expanding the Commitment," represented a comprehensive revision that built on the foundational 1986 framework by refining population goals, amplifying habitat objectives, and embedding conservation within broader policy and economic landscapes.

In 1998, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) took a significant step forward with its pivotal update, Expanding the Vision. Building on the foundational 1986 agreement between Canada and the United States, and México's 1994 inclusion as a signatory, this update transformed NAWMP into a truly continental strategy. It recognized the rapidly evolving socioeconomic landscape, linking waterfowl conservation to broader policies on wildlife, economics, and international interests.

In June 2004, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) unveiled its update, Strengthening the Biological Foundation, marking a renewal of commitment 18 years after the original 1986 Plan and building on the 1994 and 1998 revisions.

In February 2007, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) released its first comprehensive continental biological assessment, evaluating 20 years of progress since 1986. Conducted by an international Assessment Steering Committee (ASC) formed in 2005, the report recognized substantial achievements through joint ventures (JVs), including conservation efforts impacting millions of acres for breeding, wintering, and migrating waterfowl, supported by dedicated partners across Canada, the United States, and México. However, it identified persistent challenges, such as incomplete habitat goals, variable monitoring and evaluation among JVs, funding constraints, and unmet population objectives amid ongoing threats like habitat loss.

Held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Future of Waterfowl Management Workshop marked the first gathering of its kind dedicated to "Framing Future Decisions for Linking Harvest, Habitat, and Human Dimensions."

Marking the 25th anniversary of the original 1986 North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP), the 2012 Revision — titled People Conserving Waterfowl and Wetlands — delivered a renewed vision for continental waterfowl conservation. This marked the first true revision (not merely an update) since inception, involving fundamental re-examination of goals through extensive consultations with stakeholders across federal, provincial/territorial, state, and NGO partners in Canada, the United States, and México.

The recommendation outlined in the 2012 Revision of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP or Plan) to “Develop, revise or reaffirm NAWMP objectives so that all facets of North American waterfowl management share a common benchmark” presented a timely challenge for the waterfowl management community. Work throughout 2013-14 led to this document, an addendum to the Plan, which outlines revised objectives for waterfowl populations, waterfowl habitat, and those who enjoy and actively support waterfowl and wetlands conservation.

This 2018 Update documents progress since the 2012 Revision and 2014 Addendum, reaffirms the three core NAWMP goals, and highlights integrated achievements while charting the path forward.

The America’s Conservation Enhancement Act (ACE Act) was signed into law by President Trump on October 30, 2020, reauthorizing the North American Wetlands Conservation Act until 2025 and codifying the National Fish Habitat Partnership — two of the most successful conservation efforts in the United States.

The 2024 Update to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) built on nearly four decades of collaborative conservation efforts among Canada, the United States, and México. Initiated in 1986 to address declining waterfowl populations, the Plan secured millions of acres of habitat through Joint Ventures and Management Units, demonstrating success in restoring wetlands and supporting biodiversity. Signed by high-level officials from each country, this update reviewed progress since the 2012 Revision and the 2018 Update, emphasizing the Plan's role in providing ecosystem benefits such as improved water quality, flood control, and recreational opportunities.