Legislation will bolster funding for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are pleased to report the U.S. Senate has unanimously passed the Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025, sending the Act to President Trump to be signed in to law. The legislation reauthorizes a component of the Pittman-Robertson Act (PR) that makes unallocated Federal Aid Interest available to be used by the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). When matched by partners, the interest from the PR fund—which itself is funded by sportsmen through excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment—more than doubles NAWCA’s annual appropriated funding.
“This is exciting news for conservation efforts across the country,” said Ron Leathers, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s chief conservation officer. “NAWCA is one of the most successful habitat programs in history, and will continue to deliver for America’s lands, waters, and people thanks to the reauthorization of this essential funding. We applaud both Congress and the Trump administration for their support of such vital initiatives.”
The bill has broad, bipartisan support in Congress, as well as from the Trump administration. It was passed by unanimous consent in the Senate, despite annual funding negotiations between Republican and Democrat leadership—and the Federal shutdown—being well into a fourth week. Although most conservation work across the government is currently paused during the ongoing lapse in appropriations, this bill provides a welcome boost to the future of wildlife habitat.
Since 1991, NAWCA has been a highly popular and successful non-regulatory conservation program that protects, restores and enhances wetlands and associated habitats on public and private lands. It has leveraged $4.7 billion in private and non-federal investments to conserve 33 million acres through over 3,000 voluntary conservation projects. These acres provide habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife species, while also supporting local communities through outdoor recreation like hunting and fishing — generating $1.2 trillion in economic output in 2023.