# National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements (15.654)

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/programs/15-654-national-wildlife-refuge-system-enhancements/  
Publisher: Well Told Grants. Data: USAspending.gov and Grants.gov, updated November 7, 2026.

National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements is run by Department of the Interior. From fiscal 2021 to 2025 it awarded $278 million in 424 grants, about $656,267 per award.

## Objectives

To provide technical and financial assistance to identify, conserve, manage, and enhance the natural, historical, and cultural resources and physical infrastructure of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS); deliver public access and high-quality outdoor recreational opportunities; build a volunteer cadre, and inspire the next generation of hunters, anglers and wildlife enthusiasts through work on and off NWRS managed lands and waters.
This program also encourages coordination and integration of efforts between U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) programs and interested parties to accomplish successful prevention or management of invasive species. Projects must conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife and plants on and off NWRS managed lands for the continuing benefit of the American people.

## Funding by fiscal year

| Year | Amount | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22.2 million | 89 |
| 2022 | $24.8 million | 78 |
| 2023 | $34.3 million | 121 |
| 2024 | $75.7 million | 164 |
| 2025 | $121 million | 129 |

## Largest recipients

| Recipient | State | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ducks Unlimited, Inc. | Mississippi | $30.2 million |
| Ducks Unlimited Inc | California | $29.0 million |
| Department of Conservation and Energy, State of Louisiana | Louisiana | $27.5 million |
| Well Done New Mexico LLC | Montana | $19.3 million |
| The Nature Conservancy | Virginia | $13.4 million |
| South Florida Water Management District | Florida | $13.0 million |
| National Fish and Wildlife Foundation | District of Columbia | $12.4 million |
| North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission | North Carolina | $11.0 million |
| Ducks Unlimited, Inc. | Michigan | $9.4 million |
| Bat Conservation International, Inc. | Texas | $7.5 million |
| Texas Railroad Comm | Texas | $7.0 million |
| Ducks Unlimited Inc | North Dakota | $5.6 million |
| Texas A&m Agrilife Research | Texas | $5.2 million |
| Pheasants Forever, Inc. | Minnesota | $5.0 million |
| Conservation Fund a Nonprofit Corp | Virginia | $3.9 million |
| Michigan State University Foundation | Michigan | $3.7 million |
| Minnesota Department of Natural Resources | Minnesota | $2.8 million |
| Iowa Department of Natural Resources | Iowa | $2.3 million |
| American Bird Conservancy | Virginia | $2.1 million |
| Protectores de Cuencas Inc. | Puerto Rico | $2.0 million |