The funding comes under the North American Wetland Conservation Act, a federal program that is also financing part of the Heron Lake restoration and several other Minnesota projects. This particular program, named the Prairie Wetland Heritage Conservation Initiative, aims to preserve the most important remaining unprotected prairies in southwestern Minnesota. The prairies are part of the Prairie Pothole Region, a major waterfowl breeding area.
Most ducks nest in grasslands near wetlands.
Within the grasses, nesting ducks and upland birds such as pheasants and meadowlarks can hide from predators. The grasses also anchor eroding soil and filter sediment washing off farmlands that would otherwise end up polluting wetlands and streams. In addition to Pheasants Forever and the DNR, project partners include the Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, Ford Motor Company, several local conservation clubs, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Pheasants Forever, the DNR, and the other partners then developed a funding request to the Migratory Bird Commission to expand the initiative. All rights reserved.