September 2023: A Message from Our Executive Director

Dear Wolf River Conservancy Friend,

Last month, I reminded you that the Wolf River Conservancy is among the minority of land trusts in the U.S. accredited by the Land Trust Alliance, having met high standards for financial accountability and conservation practices.  The Conservancy also stands out in another way – we are one of only nineteen land trusts to be awarded a NAWCA grant this year.

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) has recently awarded the Wolf River Conservancy $1.3 Million in grant funding, enabling us to protect an additional 1,500 acres of wetlands and floodplains in the Wolf River watershed and to keep our Director of Conservation Ryan Hall very busy for the next 12 to 18 months.  The Wolf River Conservancy’s strategic land conservation plan prioritizes our land purchases based on scientific parameters designed to protect water and wildlife.

NAWCA is the only federal grant program dedicated to the conservation of wetland habitats for migratory birds.  Since 1989, funding has advanced the conservation of wetland habitats and their wildlife in all 50 U.S. states, Canada, and Mexico while engaging more than 6,800 partners in over 3,300 projects.  Through NAWCA, federal funds are typically leveraged at twice the legally required dollar-for-dollar non-federal match-to-grant ratio.  The Conservancy’s $1.3 Million grant is part of $39.4 million in North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grants that will be matched by more than $74.1 million in partner funds.

Projects are selected by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, authorized under NAWCA, and chaired by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland.  The Commission has helped to conserve much of the nation’s most important waterfowl habitat and establish or enhance many of the country’s most popular destinations for waterfowl hunting and birding.  Since 1991, more than $2.1 billion in funds, matched by more than $4.3 billion in partner funds, has been approved by the Commission, totaling $6.4 billion for wetland conservation.

Wetlands provide migratory birds with valuable stopover sites for resting, nesting, and breeding.  Wetlands also support biodiversity, improve water quality, store carbon, and protect coastal communities from flooding and rising seas.  “NAWCA grants increase bird populations and wetland habitat while benefiting local economies and offering recreational opportunities, such as hunting, fishing, and birdwatching,” says National Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams.

The Wolf River Conservancy’s scientifically sound methodology for protecting land, in addition to its thorough and transparent financial practices, lies beneath both our accreditation by the Land Trust Alliance and our most recent NAWCA grant.  As a supporter of the Wolf River Conservancy, you can feel confident that you are backing a highly effective organization doing valuable work to protect wetlands, our clean drinking water, migratory birds, and many other wildlife species.

Thanks for your continued support!

Keith Cole

Executive Director