A panel of five judges will review 192 entries in the 2012 Federal Duck Stamp Contest, Sept. 28 and 29. Credit: Ryan Hagerty/USFWS

Providing leadership in the conservation of migratory bird habitat through partnerships, grants, and outreach for present and future generations.

2012 Federal Duck Stamp Contest is Sept. 28 and 29!
The 2012 Federal Duck Stamp Contest will be held at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, Sept. 28 and 29. The winning art will be made into the 2013-2014 Federal Duck Stamp, which raises money for wetlands conservation. Check out the gallery of all 192 entries and learn more about the contest and many associated events. You can watch the contest online starting at 10 a.m. MST on Sept 28.

September 2012 NAWCA Grants Announced
On September 12, the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission approved $18.4 million in funding for 19 NAWCA Standard Grant projects in the U.S. Project partners are contributing $49.47 million in matching funds and $424,100 in nonmatching funds or other federal funds to affect 95,593 acres of habitat.
Project summaries

Congratulations to NAWMP Award Winners
The North American Waterfowl Management Plan Committee is pleased to announce the newest recipients of its International Canvasback Award and Blue-winged Teal Award. These individuals were recognized for their stellar contributions to waterfowl and habitat conservation.
Learn More

Canadian Grants Approved, U.S. Small Grants Announced
On June 7, 2012, the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission approved more than $22.3 million in grants through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) to support public-private partnership activities that will conserve more than 134,000 acres of wetlands and associated habitats in Canada. The commission also heard a presentation summarizing 44 projects previously approved for funding under the NAWCA U.S. Small Grants Program totaling more than $2.8 million. Partners will contribute more than $7.3 million in matching funds toward these projects, which will protect and enhance 10,500 acres of wetlands and associated habitats in 23 states from Maine to California, as well as Puerto Rico.
News Release
U.S. Small Grant Project summaries
Canadian NAWCA Program

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Roles and Responsibilities

• Administers the North American Wetlands Conservation Act Standard Grants and Small Grants Programs, which provide matching grants to organizations and individuals who have developed partnerships to carry out wetlands conservation projects in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
• Coordinates and provides staff to the North American Wetlands Conservation Council.
• Administers the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act Grants Program, which supports public-private partnerships that promote the long-term conservation of Neotropical migratory birds and their habitats in the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
• Provides national leadership in the U.S. for the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and staff support to the Plan Committee and the Plan Committee's Science Support Team.
• Supports more than two dozen bird and habitat-focused Joint Ventures, collaborative, regionally based partnerships comprising government agencies, non-profit organizations, corporations, tribes and individuals who work to implement bird conservation plans within specific geographic areas or for specific species.
• Supports conservation work conducted under Partners in Flight, U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan and North American Waterbird Conservation Plan, and provides staff support for the North American Bird Conservation Initiative.
• Administers the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) and the Junior Duck Stamp programs.