Conservation programs receive major boost in spending bill

Government funding legislation increases funding for NAWCA, other programs

 The U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to fund the federal government through September. Funding for several critical conservation programs was included in the legislation, with increased funding for one of DU’s highest priority programs, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA).

The legislation also provides funding for several programs that allow farmers, ranchers and private landowners to conserve, protect and be the best possible stewards of their land.

“When legislators are debating funding for the federal government, it’s reassuring to know conservation has a seat at the table.” said DU CEO Adam Putnam. “DU’s volunteers, members and staff work tirelessly to ensure legislators understand the importance of our priority conservation programs, such as NAWCA, and the funding included in this legislation is a significant pay-off for that hard work. This Congress clearly values the work of DU and our conservation partners, and we’re eager to help transition these dollars onto the landscape for the betterment of waterfowl habitat, farmers and ranchers, local communities and our environment.”

Notable conservation programs to receive funding:

North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) – $48.5 millionPartners for Fish and Wildlife – $57.7 millionGreat Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) – $348 millionDelaware River Basin Restoration Program – $10.5 millionChesapeake Bay Program – $88 millionChesapeake WILD Program – $4 millionNorth American Waterfowl Management Plan/Joint Venture Programs – $15.56 millionNational Wildlife Refuge System – $519 millionRegional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) – $300 millionAgricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) – $450 millionConservation Technical Assistance – $760 millionState and Tribal Wildlife Grant Programs – $72.6 million

For more information, visit www.ducks.org, and be sure to Follow DU’s Twitter feed – @DUNews1937 – to get the most up-to-date news from Ducks Unlimited.

Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 15 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. For more information on our work, visit www.ducks.org.

(Originally posted by HLNews)