Just in time for waterfowl season, Ducks Unlimited and partners last fall completed a wetlands restoration project on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) Cut-Off Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Drew County.

"Southeast Arkansas is known for its incredible waterfowling tradition," said DU Manager of Conservation Programs Craig Hilburn. "And DU is proud to help the AGFC continue to provide quality public hunting opportunities through projects like this one."

In a proactive effort to improve management capabilities and to ensure the continued availability of public waterfowl hunting habitat on the Cut-Off Creek WMA, DU designed and constructed a new water-control structure that replaced several older structures that had been in service since the early 1990s.

"The new water-control structure and associated spillway provide wildlife management staff the ability to more efficiently manage more than 2,500 acres of bottomland hardwood forest habitat for waterfowl and waterfowl hunters," said Mark Hooks, regional wildlife management supervisor for the AGFC. "DU and the AGFC have a well-established partnership, and this project is just one more tangible result of our mutual long-term commitment to improving wetland habitat throughout Arkansas."

Partners on this project include DU, the AGFC, War Eagle Boats, Wetlands America Trust, the North American Wetlands Conservation Council, and numerous DU volunteers and supporters.

"War Eagle Boats is pleased to invest in important wetlands conservation work in the Natural State," said War Eagle Boats President Mike Ward. "As the leader in wetlands conservation, Ducks Unlimited has a longstanding history of improving habitat for waterfowl and opportunities for waterfowl hunters on public lands. We're happy to do our part to support that mission."