The Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge will be awarded over $9million dollars in conservation funding for wetland habitats.
The grant, announced by the Migratory Bird Commission, will award $9,928,536 in conservation funding to the wildlife refuge. The refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
According to Congressman Clay Higgins, who shared the announcement, this grant will support conservation efforts for wetland habitats and waterfowl populations while supporting local economies and recreational traditions such as hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities.
The wetlands also provide flood control benefits and mitigate coastal erosion.
The Commission says that funds were primarily raised through the sale of Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps, commonly known as “Duck Stamps.”
“The Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge is significant to the culture and heritage of South Louisiana. The wildlife refuge serves as a natural barrier and flood control structure, which must be maintained. This funding will help preserve the sportsman’s traditions that our state is so well-known for while also conserving local wildlife and their habitats,” Higgins said of the grant.
