By Bruce Ross, Executive Director bross@wisducks.org
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s January, 2023 Newsletter edition.
This contract will help WWA restore significantly more wetland acres across the state.
We’ve been teasing the information for a couple months now, but WWA’s Board of Directors just approved a contract with the DNR to focus wetland restoration efforts on public lands that state hunters can enjoy.
The DNR does not have the needed bandwidth with the necessary expertise to address all of the state-owned wetlands that have fallen into disrepair – WWA will be helping them with that challenge.
Over the next few months, we will be hiring an ecologist whose restoration design work will be focused exclusively on DNR-managed lands. The ecologist will identify and analyze likely candidates for restoration, design restorations, seek funding to undertake the restoration, then manage the work itself.
This is a big growth moment for WWA and our support of state waterfowling. It will double our capacity in this field and our impact around Wisconsin. There are three ways you can play a role in this effort:
- Do you know of wetlands (or wannabe wetlands) that would benefit from some professional help? Let us know at info@wisducks.org.
- Do you know of an ecologist who might be perfect for this position? Share this link with that person.
- Do you want us to continue this effort into the future? Help us fund this position.
Stay tuned for more updates as this new WWA role gets underway.