The grant will improve 805 acres of wetland habitat over the next three years
ALBANY, N.Y. – Feb. 17, 2026 – Ducks Unlimited (DU) was recently awarded $1.2 million from New York’s Water Quality Improvement Project program for wetland restoration over the next three years.
DU’s work will restore and enhance 805 acres of vital wetland and upland habitat in New York’s Montezuma Wetland Complex and Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area near the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.
In partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), DU will lead the projects to strengthen water quality, improve habitat connectivity and enhance resilience to flooding and climate impacts.
“By investing in restoration and public land infrastructure, Ducks Unlimited and our partners are ensuring the long-term environmental, social and economic health of these priority landscapes,” said DU Regional Biologist Matthew Wagner.
Ducks Unlimited, NYSDEC and USFWS are collaborating to restore 240 acres in the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. The project includes the construction and excavation of wetland features in the Seneca River floodplain, restoration of a former agricultural field to native grassland and targeted management of invasive vegetation to promote long-term habitat resilience.
The project will restore a highly degraded landscape, improve local water quality and enhance downstream flood mitigation capacity for nearby communities. By reestablishing diverse wetland and upland habitats, the work will support migratory birds, wetland-dependent wildlife and numerous rare, threatened and endangered species. The restored area will continue to provide public recreational access and is expected to generate economic benefits for the surrounding communities.
In the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge and Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area, DU and partners will enhance infrastructure and habitat on 565 acres of managed wetlands. Planned work includes installing new water-control structures, light excavation and bank repairs, creating additional wetlands and invasive species control. These improvements will help wildlife managers regulate water levels, enhance ecological productivity and ensure the long-term viability of managed waterfowl units.
“The project will strengthen habitat quality, improve water quality for downstream communities and bolster flood protection,” Wagner said. “The enhanced public lands will continue to support local economies through increased opportunities for hunting, fishing, paddling, wildlife observation and year-round recreation.”
About Ducks Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing wetlands, grasslands and other waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has restored or protected more than 19 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science, DU’s projects benefit waterfowl, wildlife and people in all 50 states. DU is growing its mission through a historic $3 billion Conservation for a Continent comprehensive campaign. Learn more at www.ducks.org.
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