The application deadline for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act small grants program (up to $75,000) has been moved up to October 30.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has also issued new application guidelines (available at http://www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/Grants/NAWCA/Small/files/SmallGrantsApplicationinstructions.pdf

This program has traditionally been less competitive than the large ("standard") NAWCA grants, which provide awards of up to $1 million, and the application process is not nearly as onerous.  That makes it an attractive option for smaller scale acquisition or restoration projects that have some good wetland and migratory bird values, provided you can come up with at least a 1:1 (preferably more) non-federal match.  As noted below, the program also gives preference to grantees that are new to the NAWCA grants program.

From program overview at http://www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/Grants/NAWCA/Small/index.shtm):

"The Small Grants Program is a competitive, matching grants program that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the United States that further the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (Act). These projects must involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the benefit of all wetlands-associated migratory birds.

This program supports the same type of projects and adheres to the same selection criteria and administrative guidelines as the U.S. Standard Grants Program. However, project activities are usually smaller in scope and involve fewer project dollars. Grant requests may not exceed $75,000, and funding priority is given to grantees or partners new to the Act’s Grants Program."