The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service announced a new joint project with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association to help landowners throughout the southeast quarter of Wisconsin recreate wetlands that have been long-lost to cropland. Agriculture, housing, roads, development - they ve taken a high toll on wetlands in this state. Restoring a wetland, even a small one, significantly improves the health of the land, according to Thrall.
Wetlands are functional.
They reduce flooding, filter toxic chemicals, and provide excellent habitat for all kinds of species, many of them still in decline. Sean Sallman, in the Horicon Area, and Greg Kidd, Madison, both with the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association, will be contacting landowners with potential wetland restoration sites in the target area over the next year. Environmentally, we have a lot at stake, and a lot to be regained, according to Ruwaldt. In the 23 county area, landowners can restore wetlands with 100 percent of the costs reimbursed. NRCS provides 75 percent of the costs through its Wetlands Reserve Program.