The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) is a federal law supporting the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) and the Tripartite Agreement on wetlands between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Through its competitive grant program, NAWCA provides funding and administrative direction for public-private partnerships to protect, restore, and enhance wetland habitats essential for migratory birds and other wildlife.
NAWCA offers four types of grants—U.S. Standard Grants, U.S. Small Grants, Mexico Grants, and Canada Grants—designed to engage a diverse range of partners, including private landowners, Tribal nations, conservation organizations, corporations, and state and local governments across the continent to protect birds across their life cycle. These efforts provide critical habitats for Birds of Conservation Concern and species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), while delivering broader societal benefits such as improving water quality, reducing flooding, and supporting recreational activities like birdwatching, hunting, and fishing.
The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) was enacted on December 13, 1989, as a groundbreaking federal law to address the rapid loss of wetlands critical to migratory birds and other wildlife. NAWCA provides funding and support for public-private partnerships to protect, restore, and enhance wetland habitats across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Grants are funded through federal appropriations as well as fines, penalties, and forfeitures collected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), with additional funding from interest accrued on Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act funds and the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, which supports coastal wetland projects.
NAWCA builds upon the foundation of the historic North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP), established in 1986 in response to historically low waterfowl populations. NAWMP’s vision of international collaboration ensures that conservation efforts under NAWCA align with broader goals for waterfowl and wetland ecosystems. Through nearly four decades of continental conservation, NAWMP has protected, restored, and enhanced wetland habitats across North America, benefiting not only waterfowl but also other migratory birds, wildlife, and the communities that depend on wetlands for vital ecosystem services.
By funding habitat conservation projects that address evolving challenges like agricultural development, urbanization, and climate change climate change
Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since the mid-20th century humans have had an unprecedented impact on Earth's climate system and caused change on a global scale.
Learn more about climate change , NAWCA translates NAWMP’s vision into action. Together, the collaborative initiatives of NAWMP and NAWCA deliver far-reaching, nature-based solutions that benefit wildlife, habitats, and people, highlighting the power of international cooperation and innovative partnership in advancing conservation.