Tuscarora Chapter Ducks Unlimited  #178

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• Restoring Grasslands
• Replanting Forests
• Restoring Watersheds
• Working with Landowners
• Working with partners
• Acquiring Land
• Conservation Easements
• Management Agreements
• Geographic Information Systems

Restoring Grasslands

Ducks such as mallards, pintails, and teal build nests in dense, grassy areas near wetlands. Grassland cover helps hens conceal their nests and increases their chances of successfully hatching a clutch. Once hatched, the hen leads the ducklings overland to a nearby wetland, where they grow into adults.

DU and its partners help to secure and restore these grasslands to reduce predation rates and improve nest success.

DU helps landowners enroll in government-subsidized easement and set-aside programs. DU also purchases and distributes planting equipment to help farmers replant natural grasses on lands no longer used for agriculture.

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Replanting Forests

Forests that flood regularly due to overflowing riverbanks make for ideal wintering habitat for ducks, and provide essential breeding and foraging habitat for other wildlife species. However, 80% of these forests have been cleared for agriculture and other purposes, and rivers have been tamed with dams and levees.

DU plants hardwood seedlings and we bring backwater to these forests to mimic historical flooding. 15 million seedlings have been planted to date.

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Restoring Watersheds

A watershed is the area surrounding a wetland, and therefore has a great effect on the water quality and general health of a wetland. When watersheds are disturbed, silt, nutrients, and contaminants can be washed into downstream wetlands, impacting the flora and fauna that inhabit these systems.

For example, in the Chesapeake Bay, most of the aquatic vegetation has have been lost and fisheries have been contaminated due to degradation of the watershed.

DU restores drained wetlands, protects stream corridors, and establishes buffer strips that filter nutrients and silt.

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Working with Landowners

Nearly 3/4 of America's remaining wetlands are on private lands. All over North America, DU works with farmers, ranchers, and other landowners to make their land more wildlife friendly. DU's work improves the agricultural and recreational value of the land, proving that wildlife and agriculture are not mutually exclusive.

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Working with Partners

No single group could perform the work necessary to meet the goals of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and DU's Continental Conservation Plan. Virtually all of DU's projects are done in cooperation with a number of partners, including state and federal agencies, private corporations and foundations, and individuals.

For example, DU and its partners completed a project at the Sherburne Wildlife Management Area in Louisiana. Partners included the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the North American Wetlands Conservation Council, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Exxon.

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Acquiring Land

In special cases, DU will sometimes buy property then restore it to improve its value to wildlife. Once the habitat work is complete, DU will then sell or donate the property - usually to a government agency that will manage it for wildlife.

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Conservation Easements

Some of the most valuable wildlife habitat is threatened by development. DU's conservation easement program is designed to protect habitats forever. A conservation easement is an agreement between DU and a landowner. The landowner owns the land, but gives up the right to develop it - forever. The easement is perpetual, applying to the current landowner and anyone who may buy or inherit the property in the future.

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Management Agreements

DU offers financial incentives to landowners that manage their land for waterfowl and other wetland wildlife. Conservation management is secured through 10-year agreements with landowners. The landowner receives a number of benefits under this type of agreement, and hundreds of wildlife species are insured quality habitat. 

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Geographic Information Systems

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology enables DU to determine where our habitat work will be most effective. Combining satellite images with other information, such as wetland densities, land-use practices, land ownership, wildlife use, and more; DU's GIS specialists produce digital "thunderstorm" maps. These maps graphically display land use and also can be used to assess results once projects are complete.

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