Funding Opportunities in the ACJV

The ACJV works primarily with the following programs to fund habitat conservation in the Atlantic Flyway.

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA)

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) provides federal funds specifically to “conserve North American wetland ecosystems and waterfowl and the other migratory birds and fish and wildlife that depend on such habitats.” NAWCA and matching funds may only be used for wetlands acquisition, creation, enhancement, and/or restoration. Proposals require at least a 50/50 nonfederal match.

National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants

Funds generated from excise taxes on sport fishing equipment and boat gasoline taxes are set aside in the Sport Fish and Restoration Account of the Aquatic Resources Fund for the acquisition, restoration, and enhancement of coastal wetlands systems. This program funds only state agencies and their partners. Grants are available to coastal states and require at least a 25% match.

Request for proposals are sent out to coast states in the early spring each year and proposals are due in mid June.

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (NY and PA)

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) targets the most significant environmental problems in the Great Lakes ecosystem by funding and implementing federal projects that address these problems. As part of this initiative, the two bird habitat joint ventures that are in the Great Lakes watershed–the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture and the Upper Mississippi and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture–work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife And Sport Fish Restoration staff in the Northeast and Midwest Regions to competitively fund partner projects that provide long-term protection, restoration, or enhancement of high-priority habitats to benefit native fish and wildlife populations in the Great Lakes, particularly migratory birds. Preference is given to activities that address priorities identified in the Lower Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Plain (BCR 13) Bird Conservation Region Plan, other relevant bird conservation plans, and State Wildlife Action Plans. For more information about this program contact Mitch Hartley.

Other Funding Opportunities

There are dozens of other funding opportunities available to partners throughout the Atlantic Flyway. Check out the North American Bird Conservation Initiative website for more information.