The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is inviting applications for the Canada Standard Grants Program to support public-private partnerships carrying out wetlands conservation projects in Canada.

The project contribute to a comprehensive, programmatic approach towards furthering the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). 

Project activities involve the long-term conservation of wetlands and associated upland habitats for the benefit of waterfowl and all wetland-associated migratory birds.

The Canada Standard Grants Program began supporting projects in Canada in 1990, shortly after the North American Wetlands Conservation Act of 1989 was passed. This program has been receiving 45 percent of the total available funding for Act-supported projects each fiscal year. In recent years, this amount has been approximately USD$20-25 million annually.

Process

• Applicants submit project proposals through the appropriate North American Waterfowl Management Plan Provincial Steering Committee.  After a preliminary review by the Provincial committees, eligible proposals are then forwarded to the appropriate Joint Venture Management Board, Environment Canada Wetlands Office, and finally the North American Wetlands Conservation Council (Canada) for review and endorsement.
• Projects are then presented to the North American Wetlands Conservation Council (Council) in the United States for funding consideration. After reviewing the projects, the Council recommends them to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission for final funding approval. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Division of Bird Habitat Conservation is responsible for administering the grants for the approved projects.

For more information, visit FWS.