Federal Cooperative Agreement Summary

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Region 1 awarded Ducks Unlimited Inc. a $776,305 Cooperative Agreement effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028, under the Migratory Bird Joint Ventures program (CFDA 15.637) to support the Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture. The award funds planning and delivery of science-based, voluntary habitat conservation activities across the Pacific Flyway. Primary deliverables include acres of habitat conserved, reduction in wildfire and flood risk, enhanced natural infrastructure, and local workforce capacity building. Ducks Unlimited will serve as fiscal agent and coordinator, engaging diverse partners—including landowners and communities of all sizes—to design and implement landscape-scale conservation efforts benefiting migratory birds and local economies.

The Joint Venture operates as a public-private partnership bringing together federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, state wildlife agencies, tribes, and private entities to achieve regional bird habitat conservation goals. Ducks Unlimited's role encompasses joint venture administration, partner engagement and coordination, and technical support to facilitate habitat conservation implementation. Subrecipient activities will involve partner organizations capable of engaging local communities to support and execute habitat conservation work. Outcomes will be measured and reported through conservation metrics, with emphasis on collaborative, cost-effective approaches that leverage federal funding with nonfederal partner resources and in-kind contributions.