House Recommends $42.6 million for North American Wetlands Conservation Act

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), one of the most successful and efficient conservation programs in history, was recommended $42.6 million for fiscal year 2009 – the full amount that was requested by President Bush before leaving office.

The House of Representatives released their Omnibus Appropriations bill that will fund the government through September 2009 – and included in it a more than $600,000 increase to NAWCA.  Every dollar in federal grants for NAWCA needs to be matched by at least $1 from other sources, so the increase could mean more than $1.2 million for wetlands conservation and restoration over 2008 levels. But because of NAWCA’s popularity, there is usually $3-4 for every $1 from the government – meaning an even bigger investment in America’s wetlands and waterfowl habitat.

And even though the budget for 2009 isn’t finalized yet, DU staff in Washington D.C., and across the country are laying the groundwork to get NAWCA funded at the highest level possible for the upcoming fiscal year 2010 budget.  DU members and supporters can make their voices heard for conservation as well – see the latest news on NAWCA on the DU website and be ready to contact your members of congress and ask them to support funding for NAWCA. 

North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA)