Latest news with #NorthAmericanWetlandsConservationAct
UPI
04-08-2025
- General
- UPI
More than $100M in grant money to be used to protect migratory birds
U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum (pictured at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., in January) said the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission has approved $102.9 million in federal funding for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its partners to 'conserve, restore or enhance' some 548,242 acres of wetland for migratory birds. File Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI | License Photo Aug. 4 (UPI) -- The federal government is approving more than $100 million in federal grant money for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for wetland conservations efforts in more than a half-million acres of critical migratory bird habitats. The U.S. Department of Interior said Monday its Migratory Bird Conservation Commission approved $102.9 million in federal funding for the wildlife service and its partners to "conserve, restore or enhance" some 548,242 acres of key wetlands and its associated upland habitats across North America for migratory birds. In addition, more than $201 million in matching funds will be granted by Fish and Wildlife partners. According to the department, the financial infusion for wetland preservation came as part of the 1989 North American Wetlands Conservation Act. U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement that NAWCA has "fostered partnerships and an investment in wetland conservation that yield both ecological and economic returns for local communities and a broad range of industries," which he said includes tourism, commercial fisheries, and the forestry and agriculture industries. Burgum, who sits as chair of the migratory bird commission, said the federal grants will "increase and maintain healthy bird populations and wetland habitat" while "supporting local economies and improving public access to recreational activities for American traditions" such as hunting, fishing and birdwatching. Interior said NAWCA is the only federal grant program targeted for the conservation of wetland habitats for migratory bird species. More than $7.1 billion in federal funding since 1991 has advanced the conservation of wetland habitats in all 50 states, Canada and Mexico, according to DOI. It added that more than 7,100 partners from private landowners to state, tribal and local governments, conservation groups, sportsmen's clubs, land trusts and corporate entities had taken part in more than 3,400 federal projects. On Sunday, a noted Marine biologist and conservationist said on social media that U.S. wetlands "are disappearing at a staggering rate" and pointed out that its restoration "can take centuries" to fix. "This hits your safety, your health, your wallet -- your future," Dr. Tom Montgomery posted on X. Montgomery noted that among 170 nations represented at the recent global summit on the wetland crisis in Zimbabwe that there were "two empty seats labeled 'USA,'" he wrote. A 2023 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court significantly curtailed the regulatory power of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to regulate and protect water in wetlands under the Clean Water Act of 1972. Yet DOI officials say the commission has aided in the conservation of "much of" America's "most important" waterfowl habitats, saying the NAWCA legislation signed by then-President George H.W. Bush is one of the "most effective tools" the federal government has at its disposal for migratory bird conservation. "NAWCA funding supports projects that enhance or establish areas for hunting and birdwatching, uplifting local economies and improving public access to recreational activities for future generations," stated Justin "J" Shirley, principal deputy director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Similar efforts by the prior Biden administration at wetland preservation included over $46 million last year in September to restore some 91,425 acres of wetland habitat in 17 states for waterfowl, shorebirds and other species. It came with nearly $100 million in partner matching funds. In 2023 the year before a total of $50.9 million in NAWCA grants was matched by over $73 million in private partner grants.
Cision Canada
26-06-2025
- General
- Cision Canada
Ducks Unlimited Canada Conserves Essential Wetland Within Ontario's Georgian Bay UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
"DUC supports landowners throughout the entire process of conserving the natural integrity of habitats on their land through purchase or donation. Conserving the Honey Harbour property will ensure it remains a key piece of natural infrastructure for the surrounding area, helping to filter water, store carbon and prevent flooding." - Alexis Hand, Land Securement Specialist This acquisition was made possible with financial support from the provincial Greenlands Conservation Partnership program through the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, Environment and Climate Change Canada's Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grants administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited Inc., and state agencies through the Fall Flights partnership program. " The Georgian Bay UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is renowned for its sensitive and biodiverse ecosystems." said Marie-Paule Godin, DUC's Manager of Provincial Operations for Ontario. " We are grateful to our funders for helping us to conserve an essential wetland within the reserve, increasing habitat connectivity and conserving waterfowl and species-at risk." In addition to its ecological significance, Honey Harbour Wetland's location near urban areas offers unique opportunities for public engagement and wetland education. Over the next year, DUC will collaborate with local contractors to develop plans for its future management, including exploring opportunities for possible public access, while preserving its ecological features. "The protection of the Honey Harbour Wetland is a win for both nature and the people of Ontario," said Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks."Through the Greenlands Conservation Partnership program, we are helping to conserve natural spaces close to growing communities — places where families can connect with the outdoors, learn about wetlands, and enjoy the beauty of the Georgian Bay Biosphere for years to come." As wetland loss in southern Ontario continues to threaten biodiversity and the many benefits wetlands provide—such as flood mitigation, carbon storage and water filtration—this acquisition represents an essential step in conserving these vital near-urban habitats for future generations. Assets: Ducks Unlimited Canada Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is the country's largest land conservancy and a leader in wetland conservation. A registered charity, DUC uses sound science and partners with government, industry, non-profit organizations, Indigenous Peoples and landowners to conserve wetlands that are critical to waterfowl, wildlife and the environment. To learn more about DUC's innovative environmental solutions and services, visit Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF) Canada's Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF) is a $1.4 billion, ten-year fund (2021–2031) administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada to help conserve, restore, and enhance the management of ecosystems such as wetlands, peatlands, forests, and grasslands, in order to help tackle the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. The NSCSF focuses on three main objectives: (1) conserving carbon-rich ecosystems at high risk of conversion to other uses that would release their stored carbon; (2) improving land management practices to reduce their greenhouse gas emission-causing impacts on Canada's ecosystems; and (3) restoring degraded ecosystems. Overall, these projects will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and increased carbon sequestration, while also providing benefits for biodiversity and human well-being. Greenlands Conservation Partnership Program The Greenlands Conservation Partnership program is the single largest provincial fund to secure private land in Ontario. This unique program, administered by the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, leverages non-governmental dollars to acquire, restore and manage privately owned natural areas such as wetlands, grasslands and forests. For every dollar of provincial funding provided, grant recipients match it with a minimum of $2 from other conservation partners, including individual donors, foundations and other levels of government. Since 2020, the Ontario government has invested $58 million into the program, which has helped to protect over 430,000 acres (174,310 hectares) of private land across the province – more than 2.75 times the size of Toronto.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Land deal returns nearly 1,400 acres ‘rich with cultural significance' to Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina
PEMBROKE, N.C. (WBTW) — Nearly 1,400 acres of sacred ancestral lands are being handed over to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina in a land deal announced Monday by a national conservation group. 'We are excited to reconnect with this land, which we've not been able to access for a very long time. Our people are outdoors people, and the ability to steward this land for Lumbee and visitors alike is truly special,' Tribal Chairman John Lowery said in a statement. New York-based Open Space Institute acquired the 1,382-acre Camp Island property with funding support from a private family foundation and a North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant facilitated by Ducks Unlimited. OSI then donated the property 'rich with cultural significance and natural resources' to the tribe. The nonprofit said Camp Island represents the first opportunity to establish a large, protected natural area under Lumbee stewardship. According to 2020 Census figures, roughly 116,000 Robeson County residents self-identify as American Indian — the highest concentration of that demographic in any county east of the Mississippi River. The Camp Island grounds are special among the Lumbees as a cultural site where significant indigenous artifacts have been found. In addition to its tribal significance, officials said keeping the land away from private development will have environmental benefits as well, since several blackwater samps on site drain directly into the Lumber River. 'We're excited to join forces with OSI and the Lumbee Tribe to funda project that holds tremendous value for wetlands, wildlife and the community,' said Emily Purcell, who runs Ducks Unlimited's southeastern conservation programs. Camp Island's history traces back to pre-colonial times and once housed a pro-British loyalist encampment. In the 1850s, escaped slaves set up a small community on the grounds. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Property on the Ahnapee River is newly protected by the Door County Land Trust
TOWN OF FORESTVILLE – An ecologically significant property of more than 47 acres along the Ahnapee River was acquired and is now permanently protected by the Door County Land Trust. The trust completed its purchase of the property Feb. 5, saying in a press release the previous owner "expressed appreciation that the land will remain in its natural state, ensuring its ecological integrity for future generations." According to the release, the property is important because it supports a wide variety of bird and fish species, supports watershed health and provides a migration corridor for wildlife. Another important part of the acquisition by the land trust is that access to the property is enhanced from the Ahnapee State Trail, a portion of which is part of the statewide Ice Age Trail. The newly protected property is comprised mostly of emergent marsh and includes part of the river and streambank, wetlands and a small former hayfield. Birds such as yellow warblers, soras and green herons can be found there, along with fish like pike and rainbow and brown trout. As part of the Ahnapee River Wildlife Corridor, a vital habitat of wetlands and riverbank that follows the river from its headwaters near the hill in Brussels to its mouth on Lake Michigan, the area supports migrating and nesting birds, fish habitats and diverse plant life. The press release from the land trust says conservation efforts along the river help ensure its critical wildlife passageways remain intact. The land trust also will monitor water quality and restore wetland habitats within the property in its efforts to sustain and enhance the health of its watershed. With the Ahnapee State Trail running alongside, the property can be accessed from the trail and a nearby road, but a parking lot is not available. The acquisition allows outdoor enthusiasts, including hikers and hunters, to continue to check out the scenic views of the wetland habitat. Funds for the purchase of the land were awarded by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource's Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program with anticipated support from the federal North American Wetlands Conservation Act, along with private donations. Donations from land trust members and a grant through the Door County Community Foundation will go toward long-term protection and stewardship of the property. The Door County Land Trust protects more than 9,100 acres of land, with 15 featured nature preserves open for hiking and other low-impact, nonmotorized recreational activities, all at no charge. For more information, including trail maps, donations or memberships, visit Contact Christopher Clough at 920-562-8900 or cclough@ MORE: Unique sunrise image at Door County state park wins statewide nature photo contest MORE: Learn all about owls when The Ridges Sanctuary holds its annual Owl-O-Rama MORE: Door County Polish restaurant to open second, much larger location FOR MORE DOOR COUNTY NEWS: Check out our website This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Door County Land Trust adds property next to the Ahnapee River
