December 8, 2025
The Association of Fish and Agencies (Association) enthusiastically commends Congress for passage and successful enactment of the Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025 (H.R. 2316), ensuring that critical funding will continue to support wetlands conservation and habitat projects in North America. On November 25, this important conservation legislation was signed into law by the President.
“We thank our many conservation partners and Congress for passing the Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025 and for ensuring expedient enactment of this legislation,” said Paul Johansen, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and President of the Association. “This bipartisan victory reinforces our longstanding commitment to wetlands and waterfowl conservation, ensuring that future generations of Americans can enjoy the wildlife and outdoor traditions that define our heritage.”
The Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act reauthorizes the use of unallocated Federal Aid Interest from the Wildlife Restoration Fund to implement the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). Since 1991, NAWCA has benefited more than 31 million acres from 3,200 projects in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, stabilizing waterfowl populations and contributing to the long-term recovery of many other wetland-dependent birds.
“NAWCA is one of the nation’s most successful conservation programs,” said Ron Regan, Executive Director of the Association. “Voluntary partnerships driven by enthusiastic landowners and on-the-ground managers set the standard for effective conservation, and we thank our many partners for their support and enactment of this important legislation.”
These efforts have leveraged $4.7 billion in non-federal contributions and delivered measurable benefits to waterfowl, other wildlife, and communities through flood mitigation, water purification, carbon storage, and enhanced outdoor recreation opportunities.
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The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies represents North America’s fish and wildlife agencies to advance sound, science-based management and conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats in the public interest. The Association represents its state agency members on Capitol Hill and before the Administration to advance favorable fish and wildlife conservation policy and funding and works to ensure that all entities work collaboratively on the most important issues. The Association also provides member agencies with coordination services on cross-cutting as well as species-based programs that range from birds, fish habitat and energy development to climate change, wildlife action plans, conservation education, leadership training and international relations. Working together, the Association’s member agencies are ensuring that North American fish and wildlife management has a clear and collective voice.