Project Profiles - United States

Potholes Not Parking Lots
by Ellen Lippincott, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

As is occurring in many parts of the United States, the landscape of northwestern Wisconsin is undergoing considerable change. Due to the increasing population of Minneapolis/St.Paul, the land-use trends in both Minnesota and Wisconsin are shifting away from the historic mosaic of agricultural lands interspersed with urban centers. Shopping centers, with their sweeping asphalt parking lots, and residential subdivisions are engulfing the region’s agricultural landscape.

In response, the Northwest Pothole Habitat Initiative (Initiative) formed to detour this expansion of civilization that is advancing on northwestern Wisconsin. This Wisconsin partnership had a goal: protect, restore, and enhance 5,000 acres of natural habitat in nine Wisconsin counties on or near the Wisconsin/Minnesota state line. Once they began their conservation efforts, however, they had a hard time stopping, instead conserving 14,762 acres. A $912,600 North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant and $2,804,800 in partner funds took them beyond their own expectations.

Waterfowl production statistics illustrate the value of the habitat conserved: breeding waterfowl-pair densities for Barron, Polk, and St. Croix Counties range from 15 pairs per square mile (35 pairs per 100 wetland acres) in the vicinity of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service waterfowl production areas to an estimated 49 pairs per square mile on the production areas. Duckling production is as high as 262 young produced per 100 wetland acres. The habitats conserved by the Initiative contain important spring and fall migration stops and staging areas for 22 species of waterfowl, including mallard, black duck, pintail, wood duck, redhead, canvasback, and ring-necked duck.

The partners’ wetland and grassland work also has benefitted birds like the sandhill crane, sedge wren, northen harrier, common loon, Wilson’s phalarope, and short-billed dowitcher. Providing secure nesting cover for grassland birds has increased nesting success, and wetland restoration has improved shorebird habitat. These habitats support 115 species of neotropical migrants, many of which have declining population trends. The partners’ acquisition of grasslands and enhancement of prairie remnants also contribute to the recovery of the endangered Karner blue butterfly and threatened prairie bush clover.

While partners’ focus was the conservation of habitat for wildlife, landowners appreciate the collateral results. The wetlands and uplands restored and created across the project area have improved water quality within the St. Croix National Scenic Waterway, with soil erosion, agricultural runoff, and siltation abated. But make no mistake, the farmers also enjoy having wildlife on their lands.

Mike and Vicki Brenna, Polk County farmers, had three wetlands restored on their property and 10 acres of prairie grass planted. Vicki said, “The NAWCA grants program is the best program that has come along for wildlife in Polk County. We have noticed a marked increase in wildlife numbers, especially nesting waterfowl. Our neighbors have commented on the increases as well.” She continued: “The land is much more aesthetically pleasing. This is a great program, and we hope that programs like this continue to be implemented.” All of the dedicated partners of the Northwest Pothole Habitat Initiative couldn’t agree with her more.

For more information, contact Ellen Lippincott, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 101 South Webster Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, (608) 266-7408, ellen.lippincott@dnr.state.wi.us.

Northwest Pothole Habitat Initiative Partners

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Ducks Unlimited, Inc.
Pheasants Forever
Wisconsin Waterfowl Association
Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Commission
Kinnickinnic River Land Trust
Star Prairie Fish and Game

Holding the Line for Wetlands
by Michael Whitfield, The Teton Regional Land Trust

Teton Valley, at the western foot of the Teton Mountain Range in Idaho, is widely known for its scenic beauty and abundant wildlife. Contributing significantly to the basin’s stature are some 26,760 acres of wetland complexes.

These wetlands are among the most important of the Greater Yellowstone Region’s ecological features. They support a notable wintering population of trumpeter swans and more than 20 other species of waterfowl, including mallards, northern pintails, and cinnamon teal. The wetlands also provide habitat for large numbers of migratory or breeding sandhill cranes and long-billed curlews and regionally important species such as native Yellowstone cutthroat trout, wintering great gray owls, Columbia spotted frogs, and endemic springsnails.

A recent study of ecological “hot spots” in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem ranked Teton Basin the number one priority landscape for conservation because of its irreplaceable wetland ecology and the high threat of development. The Teton River Basin Project partnership has developed a multi-phased strategic plan to stave off an assault on the basin’s valued habitats. With the help of a $655,000 North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant and $2,300,289 of their own money and in-kind donations, the partners have completed the plan’s first phase. Through conservation easements, they have protected and restored 1,058 acres of wetlands, spring-creek habitats, and associated uplands. Within the broader project area, they are working to conserve priority landscapes in the following focus areas.

Wood Creek Fen
The Wood Creek Fen’s wetlands complex provides habitat for seven rare peatland plants and is a productive area for nesting ducks and shorebirds. The small spring creeks in this area also feature historic cutthroat trout spawning habitat. Partners protected 200 acres here, including a 40-acre outdoor classroom for local students. Idaho Conservation Data Center ranks this focus area as the most floristically unique in the State.

Foster’s Slough Wetlands Complex
Foster’s Slough, located between Fox and Darby Creeks, is an expansive and vital wetland with nearly 3,000 acres of contiguous habitat. Partners have protected 80 acres that adjoin a 200-acre Idaho Department of Fish and Game (Department) wildlife refuge. They are working with landowners to protect additional acreage.

Teton Creek
Teton Creek is the most important native cutthroat trout spawning tributary in the basin. Combined with 295 acres previously protected, partners have protected and restored a total of 348 acres of this riparian corridor. Their ultimate goal is to protect the entire lower reach of the creek.

Three Forks Teton River
Partners purchased three conservation easements to protect 318 acres of a scenic reach and ecologically vital segment of the Teton River. Bald eagles nest here as do many species of shorebirds, waterfowl, passerines, and raptors, and a herd of approximately 200 elk winter in this area. The Department owns a 280-acre refuge within one-quarter mile of the easements.

These projects are just the first steps in a long-term venture. But the partners are patient, and they have a goal they are determined to achieve: preserve the Teton River Basin for generations to come.

For more information, contact Michael Whitfield, The Teton Regional Land Trust, Inc., P.O. Box 247, Driggs, Idaho 83422, (208) 354-8939, openland@tetonvalley.net.

Teton River Basin Project Partners

The Teton Regional Land Trust
Teton Soil Conservation District
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Mithun Enterprises, Inc.
David Foster
John Young
Hill’s Big Hole Mountain Ranch
Frank Felton
Charlie Sands
James Cecil
Lynn Bevan Family

Keeping a Secret Safe
by Andrea Warniment, Mountains Restoration Trust

The Santa Monica Mountains of southern California are unique in a number of ways. To name a few, it is the only mountain range in the world that divides a major city—Los Angeles, California—in two; the mountains contain the world’s largest urban park: the 150,050-acre Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area; and year-round wetlands in this xeric mountain range are extremely rare and play a significant role in preserving regional biodiversity.

The mountains’ Secret Valley watershed and wetlands encompass 120 acres of habitat, including a 1-acre, man-made pond surrounded by willow-dominated wetlands; a riparian corridor; and upland slopes covered with chaparral and coastal sage scrub communities. Even though small in size, relatively speaking, this area is significant to the 63 bird species known to use the Secret Valley habitats, including woodpeckers, hawks, herons, finches, hummingbirds, kingfishers, mallards, and an occasional shorebird. Many animals considered to be species of special concern by the California Department of Fish and Game, including Cooper’s hawk, Swainson’s hawk, golden eagle, northern harrier, merlin, yellow warbler, loggerhead shrike, western mastiff bat, San Diego Coast horned lizard, and western pond turtle, are found here.

The real estate market in southern California is placing unprecedented pressures on the last remaining natural open spaces. The greatest threat to resources in the Santa Monica Mountains is urban sprawl, which forces the grading of landforms and stripping of native vegetation. Mountains Restoration Trust (Trust), a nonprofit organization that focuses on the preservation, protection, and enhancement of natural resources, understood the unique biological value of the Secret Valley’s wetlands and was well aware of the threat of development. The 120-acre property, bounded on two sides by preserved land, was a pivotal tract to acquire within a 3,000-acre wildlife habitat area supporting native flora and fauna—the property could have been developed into 24 residential sites.

The property’s $4.3 million appraised value presented a challenge. However, because of its desire to protect the land, the Ebensteiner Family Trust accepted the Trust’s cash offer of $1.1 million. Knowing it could not acquire the property on its own, the Trust developed a partnership. In support of what they planned to do, partners received a $50,000 North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant to assist with the acquisition. Partners contributed the balance needed, and when they obtained title, they transferred the property to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, owners of the adjacent preserved lands.

The Secret Valley wetlands acquisition marks a considerable achievement towards the protection of threatened habitats used by wildlife to move between natural areas in the Santa Monica Mountains. The wetlands also will serve as an outdoor environmental education site and provide recreational opportunities such as hiking, nature photography, and birding. The partners’ acquisition will forever protect an important haven for a diverse group of local wildlife and for feathered travelers along the Pacific Flyway.

For more information, contact Paul Edelman, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, 5750 Ramirez Canyon Road, Malibu, California 90265, (310) 589-3200 extension 128, edelman@smmc.ca.gov.

Secret Valley Conservation Project Partners

Mountains Restoration Trust
Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy
California State Coastal Conservancy
Los Angeles County
State of California’s Habitat Conservation Fund
Ebensteiner Family Trust