Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that federal funding has been awarded for several projects in Minnesota to conserve bird populations and wetland habitat.
This funding was granted through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) and will be matched by $74 million in partner funds. Every year, Klobuchar leads the appropriations request letter to secure resources for NAWCA, a public-private partnership program that matches non-federal and federal funds to protect, restore, and manage wetlands and associated habitats for migratory birds and other wildlife.
“Environmental conservation is a fundamental part of Minnesota’s heritage,” said Klobuchar. “With these grants, we will be better able to protect, restore, and manage wetlands and associated habitats for migratory birds and other wildlife. I’m proud to have played a leading role in securing this funding and will continue supporting efforts to invest in conservation.”
“As an avid birdwatcher, I know this funding is critically important to the conservation of wetland habitats for Minnesota birds and other wildlife,” said Smith. “Minnesotans enjoy the outdoors year round and it’s imperative that we protect our wildlife habitats.”
NCWA 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 wildlife in all 50 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico, while engaging more than 6,500 partners in over 3,100 projects. Through NAWCA, federal funds are typically leveraged at twice the legally required dollar-for-dollar non-federal match-to-grant ratio.
For more information on Minnesota projects receiving funding, please click here.
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