U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service News Release September 11, 2008       Secretary Kempthorne Announces $1 million for Wetlands Grants in Iowa   News Releases Home Page Search the News Releases U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Home     Contacts Ashley Spratt 612-713-5314 Paul Richert 612-713-5364     The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, chaired by Department of the Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, recently approved $1 million in federal funding to the Iowa River Corridor Wetlands Initiative to enhance wetlands and migratory bird habitat in Iowa. The commission allocated more than $26 million to protect, restore, improve and manage more than 135,000 acres of vital wetland areas and associated wildlife habitats across the U.S. under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). The Iowa River Corridor Wetland Initiative is a multi-partner effort to enhance three large wetlands complexes and three river floodplain corridor areas in Hardin, Marshall, Tama, Poweshiek, Iowa, Benton, Johnson, Washington, Muscatine and Louisa counties. The project area is an important part of a major migration corridor for waterfowl, including lesser scaup, and other wetlands birds moving north from the central Mississippi River to the Prairie Pothole Region and other breeding grounds. The partners in this project are part of the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture (UMR/GLR JV) and will contribute close to $3 million in matching funds to help support these conservation effects. Project partners include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Natural Resources Conservation Science, Iowa Department of Transportation, community conservation boards, chapters of the National Wild Turkey Federation and Wildlife Forever, and private individuals. More information about NAWCA grant programs and summaries of the projects approved is available on the Web at: http://www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/Grants/NAWCA/Standard/US/2008_Sept.shtm and more information about the UMR/GLR JV is available at http://www.uppermissgreatlakesjv.org/ The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov -FWS- Back to Top U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Privacy Notice.