north american wetlands conservation act grant in suisun marsh

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) has been deeply important to the restoration and enhancement of California’s wetlands since it began in 1989.  The program started with an Act of US Congress that year, the intention being to develop and improve waterfowl habitat through the United States, Canada and Mexico, using the North American Waterfowl Management Plan as its guide. 

The program promotes projects that will improve waterfowl breeding and wintering habitat through partnerships and the guidance of “Joint Ventures”, which have been established for critical waterfowl habitat regions throughout North America.  The California Waterfowl Association (CWA) has had a rich history of success in building partnerships with state and federal agencies and private partners in delivering NAWCA funds to California.

The Suisun Marsh Managed Wetlands Enhancement Project is currently taking place within the Suisun Marsh and is a $1 million grant that was awarded to the Suisun Resource Conservation District (SRCD) in 2005.  A partnership between the SRCD, Ducks Unlimited and CWA developed this proposal and is currently delivering the projects.  The $1 million in funding is being used to improve habitat conditions and management capabilities on 36 private properties totaling over 10,000 acres, which CWA is delivering and 5 Grizzly Island Wildlife Area projects (1,600 acres) which DU is accomplishing. 

Completed enhancement projects are all ready providing improved habitat conditions for pintail and all wintering waterfowl and shorebird species while they are within the marsh.  In total there will be an estimated $1.4 million spent on improvements at the completion of this project.  A big thank you goes out to all of the partners involved with this project, they include the California Coastal Conservancy, California Wildlife Conservation Board, California Department of Fish and Game, Dean Witter Foundation, Harvey L. & Maud C. Sorenson Foundation, 36 Private Landowners, Suisun Resource Conservation District, DU and CWA.

For more information email: wwp@calwaterfowl.org