The goal is to show how a non traditional conservation practice can benefit the landowner, the environment, and migratory waterfowl and wetland dependent species. Flooded cropfields can be reestablished as habitat critical for wintering waterfowl. The landowner can benefit by recreational opportunities associated with the practice. In addition, winter flooding restricts weed growth, enabling farmers to implement management strategies such as minimum and no-till. Farmers growing rice can complement their operations by installing water control structures that aid in managing water levels in the growing season.
Waterfowl are also rice consumers.
Red rice consumed by ducks and geese is not viable after passing through their digestive system. Presently the Partnership has provided approximately 250 water control structures on over 90 different landowners in eight Southeast Missouri counties. A total of 28,000 acres has been assessed for seasonal habitat development and 11,500 have been enrolled in the program, since the program's inception in 1997. The goal of the project is to have 20,000 acres seasonally flooded by 2003. In addition to the habitat benefit, a biologist has been employed by NRCS to assist landowners with the program and to encourage post harvest flooding.