By Bruce Urben, President
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s September, 2024 Newsletter edition.
Let the mowing begin! Work starts to clear and prep the site for next spring’s prairie planting
Last October, WWA Executive Director Bruce Ross, myself and Jesse Nickel, a Green Bay Chapter committee member, met with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) in Lena, WI, to discuss potential funding opportunities for habitat work at WWA’s Abrams Project Property, located in southern Oconto County and including several parcels, totaling approximately 140 acres.
The property was redeveloped by WWA staff and volunteers about 15 years ago when over a mile of disabled accessible trails, five disabled accessible deer blinds and three disabled duck blinds were built. In addition, a viewing deck, signage and parking lots were provided. The Abrams property is open to the public according to the property’s established rules.
The next step needed at the property were some additional habitat improvements. In meeting with NRCS it was clear that a number of projects could be funded to continue to improve the habitat and benefit wildlife and wildfowl. WWA applied and funding was approved for more work at Abrams!
Saturday, July 13th was the kickoff field day to begin the planned project improvements. Other WWA Green Bay Chapter volunteers joined Jesse Nickel our volunteer project manager, and began brush cutting, grass mowing and chemical treatments to ready the soil for prairie planting. At least 11 acres will be planted next spring to benefit pollinators, as well as wildlife and wildfowl. Additionally, WWA has entered into contract with NRCS to complete a Forest Management plan, subsequent harvest and the construction of several shallow scrapes to provide more water on the landscape. Tree and shrub planting will also be completed to benefit wildlife.
At the end of a long, hot and humid day, the site has been cleared and prepped for the prairie
We hope to have some of the project completed by the end of 2025, but work will continue into 2026.
Thank you to WWA”s Green Bay Chapter volunteers who worked in the heat and humidity of mid-July to get the project started. And a special thank you to Jesse Nickel for his leadership and oversight of the project.
Stay tuned for more updates over the course of the project!