Jim Freck, Chairman
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s June, 2020 Newsletter edition.
A quick update on what’s happening in the world of WWA’s Habitat Committee:
GRANT UPDATE: We have three grants we’re working under right now:
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A project completed under WWA’s Duck Stamp grant funding
US Fish and Wildlife HPF: A recent award in partnership with F&WS partners around the state is for $186,000 over the next three years in working with landowners to improve wetlands and associated uplands (important for breeding cover).
- NAWCA (North American Wetlands Conservation Act) – Two year grant of $65,000 for WWA ends later this year. Again, focused on private land partnerships.
- Wisconsin Duck stamp Grant: covering the biennium 2019-2021, and for $50,000. Restoring waterfowl breeding habitat in priority areas.
We also are a small partner on a $100,000 NAWCA grant for Mead Wildlife Area where WWA has committed some limited funding and assistance to help them get the grant to restore wetlands in this significant wetland complex.
PROJECT WORK: Slow start given extreme wet conditions this year.
- Finished a project in Dodge County
- Started a project in Central WI – plug four ditches and scrape.
- Participating with Winnebago Lake system with restoring emergent wetland habitat.
- Will restart projects in July – two on the books with more to follow.
- Looking at projects further west in state
HELP WANTED: Want to help coordinate Adopt-A-Wildlife (AWA) programs across the state? Contact Jim Freck at jamesfreck@aol.com for what’s involved.
AWA this year so far:
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Zeloski Marsh Clearing project completed in January 2020
Chainsaw training – Lake Mills (Jan. 11th)
- Work at Lake Mills/Zeloski wildlife area (Jan. 26th) remove box elder
- Wood duck house clean up – Rome pond
- Work at Kincaid, Mud lake, Jackson Marsh
- Mud lake in Columbia county – invasive work (Baraboo chapter)
- Future project: Potential project at Theresa Marsh locating duck nests
I’d like to thank the folks who came out to do habitat work in the midst of this COVID crisis—Thanks!
- Property being utilized by school groups (before the shut down)
- Burns planned for this year postponed due to DNR burn restrictions
NESTING STRUCTURES:
- Valley Chapter – Neenah HS nesting box project 30 boxes built and installed
- Chilton chapter 5 boxes installed
WILD RICE UPDATE:
- Two projects planned for this fall
- Still seeking a coordinator
I would like to thank everybody who is individually helping with WWA’s habitat mission.