As per delivery framework provided by the phjv implementation plan, mhhc and partner delta waterfowl foundation (delta) will undertake activities benefiting waterfowl in the phjv target landscapes and…

This federal Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service, under the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund (CFDA 15.623), provides $2,456,030.00 to the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation, doing business as Manitoba Habitat Conservancy, a Canadian non-profit organization. The award period runs from January 17, 2025 to December 31, 2026.

Through this grant, the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation and its partner Delta Waterfowl Foundation will undertake activities to benefit waterfowl in the Prairie Habitat Joint Venture (PHJV) target landscapes and delivery area. This includes securing 1,983 acres of wetland and upland habitat through perpetual conservation easements, enhancing 715 acres of wetland habitat by installing 400 new waterfowl nesting structures, and managing 157,587 acres of wetland and upland habitats. These activities are expected to have direct benefits for priority waterfowl and land-bird species throughout the Mississippi and Central Flyways.

As per delivery framework provided by the phjv implementation plan, mhhc and partner delta waterfowl foundation (delta) will undertake activities benefiting waterfowl in the phjv target landscapes and delivery area. In total, this proposal will influence 160,285 acres of wetland and associated upland habitat through nawca-eligible securement (1,983 acres), enhancement (715 acres) and management activities (157,587 acres). These activities will have direct benefit to the important breeding habitats for priority waterfowl and land-birds, through which benefits will accrue to waterfowl populations and people throughout the mississippi and central flyways.mhhc proposes to secure 1,983 acres of wetland and adjacent upland habitat through perpetual conservation easements. All securement activities will be targeted to protect priority wetland and associated upland habitats in the phjv target landscapes and delivery area in manitoba. Securement will target habitat to support waterfowl during all stages, but in particular the breeding stage with a focus on pothole wetlands, but also molting and staging areas to support waterfowl through their fall migration south.for enhancement, mhhcs longstanding partner, delta, will install 400 new HEN houses (nesting structures) in strategic locations throughout manitoba, saskatchewan and alberta, enhancing 400 acres of wetland HABITAT1. HEN houses enhance mallard production by providing a predator resistant nesting location. HEN house installation and maintenance has been a phjv objective for manitoba for several implementation plans as they have high use and nest success rates that increase waterfowl production. The waterfowl production model that underpins the 2021 2025 phjv implementation plan calculates nest success from HEN house nesting mallards at about 70%, with around 60% occupancy, as opposed to single-digit success for ground nesting birds.management activities will occur across 157,587 acres of wetland and upland habitats secured and enhanced under previous nawca grants. The majority of the acres comprise annual project inspections (155,568 acres) to ensure that waterfowl and other wildlife continue to benefit from previous nawca and match activities. In addition, HEN house maintenance will occur on 1,906 structures (thus influencing 1,906 acres)1 to ensure their functionality. Lastly, a total of 113 acres will be managed through activities such as mechanical and chemical treatment of hybrid cattail and management of nesting cover. These latter activities will occur at the internationally recognized and ramsar site, delta marsh, manitoba.endowment and indirect costs will also be a portion of this project. The endowment fund will ensure that acres influenced under this project will be maintained beyond the scope of this award.