WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 27, 2024 – Ducks Unlimited (DU) is applauding the introduction of legislation to reauthorize the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) for five years. The bill has been introduced by Sens. Martin Heinrich (NM) and John Kennedy (LA).

Since its enactment in 1989, NAWCA has conserved more than 32 million acres and has helped fund more than 3,300 projects in all 50 states, Canada and Mexico. More than 6,800 partners, including private landowners, industry and state governments have worked together to conserve wildlife habitat through NAWCA grants. Since 1991, NAWCA grants totaling more than $2 billion have leveraged almost $5.6 billion in contributions from partners.

"NAWCA is a foundational pillar of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation," said DU CEO Adam Putnam. "The voluntary, incentive-based approach has conserved millions of acres of habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife while helping improve water quality and quantity and making our communities more resilient. We thank Sens. Heinrich and Kennedy for supporting North America’s most successful wetlands conservation program, and we urge their colleagues to support it."

NAWCA is a voluntary matching grant program that leverages non-federal and federal funds for wetland restoration. Every dollar spent by the federal government, on average, receives a $3 match from program partners like Ducks Unlimited. 

"We owe it to our kids and grandkids to ensure they can inherit the full breadth of American wildlife and the wetlands that sustain them," said Sen. Heinrich. "I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to bolster our nation’s most successful wetlands restoration program. By reauthorizing the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, this legislation will improve access to clean drinking water, invest in our thriving multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation economy, and conserve New Mexico’s wildlife and the habitats they depend on for future generations."

"Louisiana’s wetlands are a big part of our state’s outdoor sportsman culture and geographical beauty. The North American Wetlands Conservation Act is an important step to preserve our wildlife and protect our environment’s natural defense system," said Sen. Kennedy.

To learn more about the program, visit DU’s dedicated NAWCA webpage, here. 

For more information, visit www.ducks.org, and follow DU’s Twitter feeds – @DucksUnlimited and @DUConserve – to get the most up-to-date news from Ducks Unlimited.

Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing wetlands, grasslands and other waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has restored or protected more than 18 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science, DU’s projects benefit waterfowl, wildlife and people in all 50 states. DU is growing its mission through a historic $3 billion Conservation For A Continent capital campaign. Learn more at www.ducks.org. 

 

Media Contact:
Parker Williams
(202) 621-1646
pwilliams@ducks.org