Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham has been approved to serve on the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) Council and Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) Advisory Group.
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewel and President Obama approved Barham’s nominations for the NAWCA Council and NMBCA Advisory Group today, June 20.
“I’m honored to be nominated and approved to serve on these important councils. I’m ready to get started to work with other council and advisory group members, government agencies and the public to improve the quality of our wetlands and migratory bird habitats,” said LDWF Secretary Barham.
NAWCA was established in 1989 to provide matching grants to organizations and individuals who have developed partnerships to carry out wetlands conservation projects in the United States, Canada, and Mexico for the benefit of wetlands-associated migratory birds and other wildlife as part of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.
The NAWCA Council meets three times each year to review and select Standard Grant proposals that they take before the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (MBCC) for funding approval. The council also develops policy affecting the grant application and administration processes.
This NMBCA Advisory Group includes members of the North American Wetlands Conservation Council, as well as other bird conservation professionals. The Advisory Group meets at least once a year, in conjunction with a North American Wetlands Conservation Council meeting, to discuss the NMBCA and make recommendations to the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the direction of the program.
Barham, of Oak Ridge in Morehouse Parish, has served as LDWF Secretary since 2008. Barham also served as State Senator for Louisiana’s 33rd District representing Morehouse, Union, East Carroll, West Carroll, and parts of Claiborne and Ouachita parishes from 1994 to 2007.
For more information, contact Adam Einck at 225-765-2465 or aeinck@wlf.la.gov.