Since 1971, the population of Northern Bobwhites and Mottled Ducks in Texas has decreased dramatically. There are many factors that contribute to these population declines, but the primary cause is the loss of available suitable habitat needed to sustain these species. Conversion of native grasses to introduced pasture, overgrazing, suppression of fire, and brush encroachment have all had a significant impact on the ability of Texas grasslands to provide for the needs of Northern Bobwhite and Mottled Duck, as well as other grassland species. To address these drastic population declines, it is crucial that private landowners are encouraged and supported in their efforts to improve habitat for these grassland birds on the lands they own and manage.

What is C-GRIP?

C-GRIP provides financial incentives to private landowners for conducting habitat treatments that address the greatest limiting factors for suitability of grassland bird habitat on their property.

The Grassland Restoration Incentive Program was first implemented in 2013 by the Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture in the Edwards Plateau and the Oaks and Prairies Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs) of Texas and Oklahoma. In 2017, the GRIP was expanded to the Tamaulipan Brushlands BCR by the Rio Grande Joint Venture. Now, in 2018 the GCJV is implementing C-GRIP in the central section of coastal Texas. C-GRIP provides financial incentives to private landowners for conducting habitat treatments that address the greatest limiting factor(s) to provide suitable grassland bird habitat on their property. Modeled after the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentive Program and other similar programs, C-GRIP is a voluntary program that reimburses private landowners a set payment rate for identified practices that generally fall into the categories of brush management, prescribed burning, native grass reseeding, and prescribed grazing.

In the past two decades, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act has funded over 3,000 projects totaling $1.83 billion in grants. More than 6,350 partners have contributed another $3.75 billion in matching funds to affect 30 million acres of habitat.

ABOUT THE GRANTS PROGRAM

The NAWCA program provides matching grants to wetlands conservation projects in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. There is a Standard and a Small Grants Program. Both are competitive grants programs and require that grant requests be matched by partner contributions at no less than a 1-to-1 ratio.

Learn how to apply.

See the most recent grant announcements and project summaries.

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act was passed, in part, to support activities under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, an international agreement that provides a strategy for the long-term protection of wetlands and associated uplands habitats needed by waterfowl and other migratory birds in North America. Program funding comes from appropriations, fines, penalties, and forfeitures; and from interest accrued on the fund. Funds from U.S. Federal sources may contribute towards a project, but are not eligible as match.

The NAWCA program operates in two cycles per year. Each cycle, eligible proposals are reviewed and ranked by the North American Wetlands Conservation Council, a nine-member council established by the Act. The Council may directly approve Small Grants. The Council recommends Standard Grants projects to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, a seven-member commission authorized by the Act to give final funding approval.