North American Wetlands Conservation Fund

To provide funds for wetlands conservation projects in North America to benefit bird populations in the United States.

Available to private or public organizations or to individuals who have developed partnerships to carry out wetlands conservation projects in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

The North American Wetlands Conservation Council selects proposals based on factors given in Section 5 of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, available funds, and other factors deemed important to meeting Act objectives.

The required matching share varies on a grant-by-grant basis and is set forth in the grant award, but must be at least 50 percent of the project costs, except that the project activities located on Federal lands and waters can be funded with 100 percent Federal funding. NAWCA grants require a minimum 1-to-1 non-federal match, meaning for every dollar requested, at least one dollar must be contributed by partners. Matching funds must be non-federal, can be cash or in-kind (land value, services, equipment), and must be directly linked to project activities.

Fiscal year 2025: The Des Moines Lobe Wetland Initiative IV is a conservation partnership aimed at protecting, restoring, and enhancing 1,933 acres of critical wetland and migratory bird habitat throughout Iowa�s Prairie Pothole Region. This area is considered a �geographic priority wetland area� and region of �continental significance to North American ducks, geese, and swans� as part of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Significant conservation planning and coordination efforts have been invested by a diverse group of private, county, state, federal and non-government conservation organizations to leverage collective resources and achieve mutual habitat conservation goals. Fiscal year 2026: Program has not yet selected projects for funding. Program anticipates funding projects that protect and improve habitat for migratory birds and other wetland-associated species. Additional NAWCA projects information can be found at: https://www.fws.gov/program/north-american-wetlands-conservation.