The Power of Federal Funding: NAWCA and West Tennessee's Wetlands

Dear Wolf River Conservancy Friend,  

We are proud to work with a diverse range of stakeholders to protect the land and water that matters most to our community's well-being - which is why I’d like to share how critical federal funding, particularly through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), plays a vital role in protecting West Tennessee’s most ecologically valuable land while directly supporting the Mid-South.

NAWCA, established by Congress in 1989, provides competitive matching grants to conserve and restore wetlands across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. It requires at least a 1:1 non-federal match and typically leverages about $3.20 in partner funds for every federal dollar. Since its inception, the program has funded more than 3,200 projects across all 50 states, protecting over 31 million acres and directing nearly $2 billion in federal support matched by nearly $4 billion from partners. In Tennessee alone, NAWCA has funded 42 projects conserving 70,625 acres, which received over $14.2 million in federal grants matched by $71 million in partner contributions.

Federal grants like NAWCA stretch local dollars with matching funds from state agencies, municipalities, nonprofits, landowners, and private partners. Each NAWCA funded conservation project delivers multiple benefits: water quality enhancement, wildlife habitat preservation, flood protection, recreation access, and local jobs. Without federal investment, many of these wetlands would be developed or altered, draining away future ecological and economic value.

In April 2022, our Wolf River Wetlands: Source to Confluence application was awarded a $1 million NAWCA grant. With matching contributions totaling $2.76 million, we protected 1,266 acres including 1,097 acres of wetlands across southwest Tennessee and northwest Mississippi.

As part of the 2024 round of funding, the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission approved another NAWCA grant award to the Conservancy for $1.3 million, leveraged with $2.095 million from state and local partners. This funding protects 1,536 acres of wetlands along the Wolf River corridor. Also in 2024, thanks to strategic partnerships and NAWCA support, we conserved areas like Lagrange Point and Pleasant Farm, both critical recharge zones for the Memphis Sand Aquifer. These successes help extend protections into floodplains and emerging development zones.

Earlier this month, the Wolf River Conservancy submitted our latest NAWCA application titled Wetlands of the Wolf and Hatchie Rivers. Our most comprehensive and ambitious proposal to date, it seeks to conserve more than 2800 acres of land in the West Tennessee aquifer recharge zone and leverages match dollars from 12 different partners across the state. This collaborative approach amplifies the impact of every dollar invested and if approved will be a game changer for conservation in the region.  

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act is an exceptional example of the multiplicative effect that efficient federal investment can have on local communities. If you are interested in this work, here are a few things you can do to help.

• Support policies that maintain or grow federal conservation funding through NAWCA and similar programs. Talk to your representatives about the value of federal matching dollars here at home.  

• Partner with us! Whether you’re a landowner, community leader, or peer nonprofit we are always looking for opportunities to protect land and you can help us do it.  

• Donate or advocate: Community support helps us match federal dollars, secure grants, and scale our conservation impact.

Federal funding is a cornerstone of our success in the region. It empowers us to protect thousands of acres of wetlands which are critical for clean water, wildlife habitat, flood defense, and community resilience. Together, with your support, we can build on this momentum to safeguard our shared natural heritage for generations to come.

Sincerely,

Erik Houston  Executive Director

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