$1 Million Grant Becomes $1.8 Million for Habitat in the Valley

California Waterfowl received $1 million in grant funds to improve 4,957 acres of wetlands in the North Sacramento River Valley. Eight federal and state listed species will benefit from the work, as will 29 listed waterfowl species. In total $1.8 million will be used to improve habitat management capabilities and increase wildlife habitat through this two-year grant.

This grant will allow California Waterfowl to continue their restoration efforts that have been improving conditions in the north valley for wildlife and wildlife enthusiasts for the last four years.

"By increasing and improving overall habitat conditions for all species that rely on wetland and riparian habitats this grant and the partners involved are making a difference for all wildlife." said Chadd Santerre, senior biologist and project supervisor with California Waterfowl. "California Waterfowl has been working for more than 20 years to restore the state's wetlands, and this grant continues with our extensive conservation efforts in the north Sacramento Valley," California Waterfowl and their partners are working to address current threats to wetland values in the project area from an increasing human population, urban development, agriculture, and watershed and drainage encroachment.

Natural wetlands in California have declined by over 90 percent from an estimated five million acres historically, to less than 450,000 acres at the present time.

This grant, the North Sacramento Valley Wetland Habitat Project, Phase II, was funded in March of 2008. It was awarded by the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Work on the project will begin in the spring of 2008 and will continue through the end of 2009. Major contributing partners include the state's Wildlife Conservation Board, 20 private landowners and California Waterfowl.

California Waterfowl is a widely respected nonprofit, hunter-supported conservation organization with a mission to conserve the state's waterfowl, wetlands, and hunting heritage. The association has received numerous awards, including Conservationist of the Year in 2006 from The Wildlife Society. In the last 20 years the association has restored, protected or enhanced more than 320,000 acres, providing habitat for millions of birds and animals, and introduced more than 250,000 children to the wonders of the great outdoors.

For more info, please visit www.calwaterfowl.org