The San Joaquin Valley contains the largest remaining block of wetlands in California. The Grasslands Ecological Area, once famous for its waterfowl market hunting, encompasses more than 160,000 acres of private and public waterfowl areas. Historically, the Grasslands Region was flooded by overflowing rivers during the winter and spring months, and then dried to a vast savannah the rest of the year. Water supplies are now dominated by agriculture, and habitat managers in the grasslands must rely on a somewhat tenuous water supply delivered by canals to maintain quality wetlands.
The Grasslands Region has a strong connection to Canada’s Westen Boreal Forest. More than 90 percent of green-winged teal, wigeon and scaup, and 99 percent of the ring-necked ducks wintering in the grasslands are produced in the boreal forest. More than 1 million waterfowl regularly use the grasslands during winter months.
Ducks Unlimited’s conservation programs in the Grasslands Region are focused on improving habitat management infrastructure, restoring historic wetlands and securing long-term protection of water supplies for all waterfowl habitats.
The Grasslands Ecological Area
Including all public and private lands within the Grasslands Ecologial Area and vicinity
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