House of Representatives Passes H.R. 925, Reauthorizing the North American Wetlands Conservation Act Through 2024

On Wednesday afternoon, Quail Forever praised the efforts of the House of Representatives for passing bipartisan bill, H.R. 925, to reauthorize funding for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) at $60 million per year until 2024. NAWCA, arguably the most important legislation for wetlands that extends across international lines, provides a strategy and funding for the long-term protection of wetlands and associated upland habitat of North America.
 
“Representatives Thompson and Wittman should be commended for sponsoring such a vital piece of legislation for the health of wetlands and associated wildlife species throughout North America,” stated Dave Nomsen, vice president of Governmental Affairs for Quail Forever. “We’d also like to extend our gratitude to the countless members throughout the nation who called their Representatives in support of H.R 925. We look forward to staying engaged with this legislation as it makes its way to the Senate for final deliberations.”
 
At the heart of the program, NAWCA provides matching grants to wetlands conservation projects in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Featuring both a Standard and Small Grants Program, each grant requires matching partner contributions at no less than a 1-to-1 ratio. Through years of effective implementation and a strong backing, NAWCA funds are usually doubled or tripled on the local level, including habitat projects and acquisitions implemented by partnerships between NAWCA and Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever in the states of Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin.
 
Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever & NAWCA Partnership Accomplishments to Date
 
Acres Acquired Acres Restored Acres Enhanced Grant Funds Matching Funds
78,710 34,652 217,081 $44,008,001 $140,314,071
 
In the past two decades, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act has funded over 2,950 projects totaling $1.73 billion in grants. More than 6,200 partners have contributed another $3.57 billion in matching funds to impact 30 million acres of habitat.
For more information and updates about NAWCA legislation, visit www.QuailForever.Org as H.R. 925 now heads to the Senate for further consideration.
About Quail Forever

Quail Forever is a leading organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation efforts for the United States’ native quail species. Since its creation in 2005, Quail Forever has conducted more than 15,000 habitat projects across the nation benefitting quail and other wildlife. Along with its affiliate organization Pheasants Forever, it has committed more than $867 million to improve more than 18+ million acres of wildlife habitat. Quail Forever has more than 17,000 members and 180 local chapters across the country. Both Quail Forever and Pheasants Forever are part of Pheasants Forever, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit.  

Media Contact
Jared Wiklund
(651) 209-4953
​​​​​​​jwiklund@quailforever.org