The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission recently approved a $1 million grant under the North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) for a project called Cedar –Wapsi Valley Wetlands. 

The project is within the boundaries of the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture and Iowa DNR will be responsible for administering the grant locally.  This effort will focus on 16 counties in Iowa to protect and restore 2,126 acres of wetlands, uplands and riverine habitats. 

The NAWCA Grants Program requires, at a minimum, the grant amount to be matched with non-federal contributions.  This is typically accomplished by partners from State, Tribal and other non-governmental entities.  The non-federal partners contributed $2.05 million and an additional $411,279 was contributed by federal partners.  Iowa DNR, Junior Rahn, Matthew McQuillen, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and the Mitchell, Clinton, Bremer, and Howard County Conservation Boards each made a contribution totalling 10 percent or more of the grant amount. 

The acquisition, restoration and enhancement of wildlife habitats associated with this proposal will advance the goals identified in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture Implementation Plan, Partners in Flight, and the North American Waterbird Conservation Plan. 

This project will provide important breeding habitat for mallards and wood ducks.  It will also provide important spring and fall migration habitat for other high priority waterfowl such as black ducks, pintails, and lesser scaup.  The American bittern, king rail, cerulean warbler, and grasshopper sparrow are a few of the wetland associated migratory birds that will benefit from this proposal and are identified as priority species by NAWCA and the Iowa Wildlife Action Plan.