Migratory Bird Conservation Commission Approves $2.99 Million NAWCA Grant for Major Everglades Wetland Restoration Effort
The project focuses on the Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area in the northern extent of the Everglades’ famed river of grass.
August 26, 2025 •
2
min read
The Migratory Bird Council has awarded a $2.99 million grant through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) for the South Florida Ecosystem Wetlands VII project (SFEW VII). This ambitious restoration effort will restore 10,848 acres of critical wetlands in the Upper Everglades Basin, enhancing water quality, wildlife habitat and public access in one of the nation’s most iconic ecosystems.
"For more than 35 years, NAWCA has been the gold standard for wetlands conservation in North America,” said Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam. “Every dollar invested in the program is typically doubled or tripled by matching contributions, making it an incredible return on investment that benefits America’s hunters, migratory bird populations and outdoor economy. This program maintains its success through consistent, bipartisan support from Congress and the Administration, and we’re ready to help turn this investment into habitat that will further sustain waterfowl populations."
The project focuses on the Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area in the northern extent of the Everglades’ famed river of grass. Once heavily altered for agriculture, this landscape will be rehydrated and reconnected to historic north-south sheet flow, revitalizing sawgrass marshes, sloughs, wet prairies and rare tree islands.
“This project is part of a larger, decades-long commitment to restore the Everglades and protect one of the most important ecosystems in the world,” said Ducks Unlimited Manager of Conservation Programs Elizabeth Guthrie. “Through strong partnerships, we’re not just restoring wetlands, we’re ensuring clean water, healthy wildlife populations and sustainable public lands for future generations.”
By removing berms, filling ditches and restoring natural hydrology, the project will improve habitat for a wide range of species, including mottled duck, blue-winged teal, Everglades snail kite, black rail, Florida sandhill crane and even the endangered Florida panther.
Restoration will also enhance public benefits by improving water storage and nutrient filtration, reducing the risk of muck fires, and increasing the resilience of the landscape against hurricanes and high-water events. The area will remain open to the public for recreation, providing opportunities to experience first-hand the transformation from former farmland back to thriving wetland habitat.
This project is a collaboration between Ducks Unlimited, Wetlands America Trust, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It builds on more than 20 previously funded wetland restoration projects in South Florida.
