What We Do

The NAWCA grant program provides matching grants to wetland conservation projects in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. 

In the United States, there are Standard and Small Grants, which both require funds be matched by partner contributions at no less than a 1-to-1 ratio.

The North American Wetlands Conservation Council (the Council) reviews eligible proposals in two cycles per year. The Council may directly approve Small Grants and recommends Standard Grant projects to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (MBCC), a seven-member commission authorized by NAWCA. The MBCC meets to consider recommended projects for approvals each spring and fall.

All NAWCA FY1991‐2025‐1

Grant Program1

# of Partners2

# of Projects

Grant Amount

Match Amount

Total Acres3

CG172609$753,145,213$754,110,34816,683,998
EG (FY2000 only)256$500,000$1,364,8700
MG647373$81,691,297$176,422,3544,192,745
SM1,964977$67,537,838$222,447,183484,272
ST4,7971,434$1,385,501,283$3,380,040,83611,239,714
Total NAWCA (CG,EG,MG,SM,ST)7,0073,399$2,288,375,631 $4,534,385,59232,600,729
Total NAWCA (not including EG)7,0013,3932,287,875,631$4,533,020,722 32,600,729
NAWCA Standard (CG,MG,ST)5,564 2,416$2,220,337,793 $4,310,573,53932,116,457
NAWCA US (SM,ST)6,240 2,411$1,453,039,121 $3,602,488,02011,723,986
NAWCA FY2025‐1

Grant Program1

# of Partners2

# of Projects

Grant Amount

Match Amount

Total Acres3

Canada Grant (CG)88$35,847,996 $35,847,99962,371
Mexico Grant (MG) 287$3,998,529$15,300,113106,677
US Standard Grant (ST) 14918$46,274,682$99,109,56591,425
Total NAWCA (CG,EG,MG,SM,ST)18533$84,347,607 $150,257,677260,473

1CG = Canada Grant; EG = Evaluation Grant; MG = Mexico Grant; SM = US Small Grant; and ST = US Standard Grant.
2Partner count is not cumulative since some partners are shared between multiple grant programs and between multiple window years.
3Total acres includes activities with Grant/match additive and Grant/match non‐additive acres for US Small and US Standard grant programs. Total acres includes activities with only Grant/match additive acres for Canada and Mexico grant programs.

Our Services

Lesser scaup swimming
North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) U.S. Standard Grants

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) U.S. Standard grants are competitive, matching grants that support public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the U.S. that involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for...

Freshwater wetlands surrounded by conifers at Moosehorn
North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) U.S. Small Grants

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) Small Grants are competitive, matching grants that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the U.S. that involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the...

Wood stork perched on a branch with a sky background
North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) Mexico Grants

In 1989, the U.S. Congress passed into law the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) with the intention of protecting, restoring, and managing wetland ecosystems and other habitats critical to maintaining healthy populations of migratory birds throughout North America. In 2002,...

Our Laws and Regulations

North American Wetlands Conservation Act

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act authorizes grants to public-private partnerships in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. to protect, enhance, restore, and manage waterfowl, other migratory birds and other fish and wildlife, and the wetland ecosystems and other habitats upon which they depend...

Laws, Agreements & Treaties