U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) announced that the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (MBCC) has approved a grant of nearly $2.1 million under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). The funding will support conservation and preservation efforts for more than 2,000 acres of waterfowl habitat in Crittenden and Desha counties, Arkansas. Private contributors, including Ducks Unlimited, are expected to provide approximately $4.2 million in matching funds.
Senator Boozman, who has served as a member of the MBCC since 2018, commented on the significance of this investment for wetland conservation and its benefits to Arkansas’s outdoor economy.
“Arkansas is the duck hunting capital of the world, so serving as a member of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission provides an invaluable opportunity to protect and enhance that legacy. This public-private investment will help preserve a critical habitat for migratory birds so they can continue to thrive while generating additional ecological benefits and keeping our renowned waterfowl hunting tradition strong for years to come,” Boozman said.
Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam also highlighted NAWCA’s longstanding role in wetlands conservation.
“For more than 35 years, NAWCA has been the gold standard for wetlands conservation in North America,” said Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam. “Every dollar invested in the program is typically doubled or tripled by matching contributions, making it an incredible return on investment that benefits America’s hunters, migratory bird populations, and outdoor economy. This program maintains its success through consistent, bipartisan support from Congress and the administration, and we’re ready to help turn this investment into habitat that will further sustain waterfowl populations.”
The new project continues ongoing work within the Mississippi Alluvial Valley aimed at protecting and restoring a total of 2,105 acres of important wetland habitats on public lands. The initiative focuses on maintaining landscapes that increase survival rates during non-breeding periods and improve breeding outcomes for migratory birds using these wintering grounds.
The MBCC was established in 1929 with responsibilities including reviewing recommendations from the U.S. Secretary of the Interior regarding purchases or easements by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for wetland areas as well as creating new waterfowl refuges.
Funding sources such as sales from Federal Duck Stamps contribute significantly to NAWCA projects by supporting land acquisition for migratory bird habitats. In December 2023, legislation authored by Boozman was signed into law allowing hunters to use a permanent electronic duck stamp throughout an entire season while traditional stamps remain available.
