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4 

 and its Board has made the Plan and wetlands conservation in 

 general among its most important thrusts. It was the Foundation 

 which initiated efforts to raise and transfer funds for wetland 

 preservation in Canada known as the "step" program. Between 1988 

 and 1992 more than $40 million was generated with Foundation 

 assistance, to acquire, improve and enhance 500,000 acres of 

 wetlands wildlife habitat in Canada. Because of these efforts the 

 Foundation was instrumental in launching the NAWMP, arguably one of 

 the continents most successful conservation initiatives. The 

 Foundation- was farsighted in using some of the first Congressional 

 appropriations to "jump start" the North American; at a time when 

 there were skeptics who were sure that state and federal wildlife 

 managers were not committed to providing funds for the continent 

 wide management of waterfowl. By providing leadership at critical 

 times, and its continued leadership, the Foundation, along with 

 state fish and wildlife agencies and other conservation partners 

 has supported projects in 34 states, ranging from acquisitions and 

 habitat restoration to initiating public education and outreach 

 projects. 



The Foundation has also provided true leadership for the 

 Partners in Flight conservation program for neotropical migratory 

 songbirds by bringing together federal and state government 

 agencies, and nongovernmental organizations to coordinate and 

 expand efforts for protection and management of songbirds and 

 raptors. They also have continued to maintain a strong presence in 



