[1] Critical to the populations of migratory birds, wetlands in Canada and the United States had disappeared as a result of development since the days of early European settlement in both countries.
[2] In 1986, the Canadian and U.S. governments signed the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, through their representatives: Thomas McMillan, the Minister of the Environment for Canada, and Donald Hodel, the Secretary of the Interior for the United States.
[7] In 2000, the NAWMP Science Support Team was established to provide technical advice and consultation to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.
It consists of one representative from each nation, appointed by the Plan committee's co-chairs, and members from associated joint ventures and flyway councils.
[5] In total, joint ventures have invested $4.5 billion to protect 15.7 million acres (64,000 km²) of such habitats.