Division of Bird Habitat Conservation

Deadlines

U.S. Standard Grants Deadline: March 6, and July 31, 2009.

Purpose and Scope

The U.S. Standard Grants Program is a competitive, matching grants program that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the United States that further the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (Act). These projects must involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the benefit of all wetlands-associated migratory birds.

History

The U.S. Standard Grants Program began supporting projects in the United States in 1990, shortly after the North American Wetlands Conservation Act of 1989 was passed. This program has been receiving 50 percent of the total available funding for Act-supported projects each fiscal year. In recent years, this amount has been approximately $40 million annually.

Process

Applicants submit project proposals to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Division of Bird Habitat Conservation (Division) for either of the program's two funding cycles per year. After a preliminary review by Division staff, Joint Venture Coordinators, and North American Wetlands Conservation Council (Council) staff, eligible proposals are presented to the Council. The Council further reviews, ranks, and recommends projects to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission for final funding approval. The Division is responsible for administering the grants for the approved projects.

Current Funding

Total funding for the U.S. Standard Grants Program in FY 2008 is $52.9 million.

Accomplishments

From September 1990 through September 2008, more than 3,850 partners have been involved in 707 Act-supported projects in the United States. Partners have added more than $1.41 billion in matching funds and $808.9 million in nonmatching funds to the more than $544.2 million in grants they have received to conserve approximately 6.3 million acres of wetlands and associated habitats across the country.

Contacts

Contact the Joint Venture Coordinator in your project area for assistance with developing a project proposal, for information about how proposals are ranked, and/or for guidance on Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and National Historic Preservation Act compliance requirements. For general program information, contact the U.S. Standard Grants Program Proposal Coordinators:David Buie (david_buie@fws.gov), (301) 497-5870, or Bonnie Gaukler (bonnie_j -gaukler@fws.gov), (703) 358-2017.

/birdhabitat/Grants/NAWCA/Standard/US/index.shtm was last updated 01/09/09 07:03:06

Home - FWS - Duck Stamp - Contact Us - Privacy