The IWWA addresses key needs for the future of endangered waterfowl: protection of natural habitat and increased capacity of captive breeding facilities.
While the need to preserve habitat is obvious, the importance of captive breeding facilities may not be. The private and institutional captive display and breeding of waterfowl has helped educate the public, provide research opportunities and expand waterfowl conservation options. Pending habitat restoration, the existence of some species can only be ensured through captive breeding facilities. The IWWA continues to support many habitat conservation efforts, as well as working to maintain healthy captive populations of wild waterfowl species.