JEFFERSON CITY -- The latest in a series of grants from a federal conservation program is expected to pump nearly a million dollars into Show-Me State wetland development. The result will be one of the largest state-owned wetland areas in the Midwest. But even this impressive project is only a drop in the bucket compared to conservation progress already achieved.

Each year since 1990, congress has appropriated $12 to $15 million for projects under the North American Waterfowl Conservation Act (NAWCA). To date, Missouri projects have benefitted from $5,639,300 in NAWCA grants.

Now the Show-me State has applied for another $973,420 in NAWCA money to purchase and develop 7,000 acres along the Marmaton River in Vernon County. If approved, the grant will enable the Conservation Department to join two existing tracts that make up Four Rivers Conservation Area to create a 14,000-acre wetland complex. The decision on the grant should come this fall.