ANN ARBOR, Mich. – April 8, 2010 – Ducks Unlimited was recently awarded a North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant to restore approximately 200 acres in southwestern Indiana, known as "Field B" at the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area (FWA). Project partners include Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), National Wild Turkey Federation, and Duke Energy. The NAWCA grant will allow partners to restore and enhance this degraded wetland for the benefit of breeding and migrating waterfowl, other wetland wildlife and the public.

"This 'Field B' NAWCA grant is a terrific opportunity for Ducks Unlimited and Indiana Department of Natural Resources to partner to provide 200 acres of restored habitat for wildlife and the people of Indiana," said Michael Sertle, Ducks Unlimited Regional Biologist for Indiana. "NAWCA grants are a crucial funding source for conservation partnerships, allowing Ducks Unlimited to leverage state funds and other partner matches with federal dollars to cooperatively restore and enhance hundreds of acres of critical shallow wetland and grassland habitat to benefit waterfowl and other wetland dependant wildlife."

Field B is a one part of the larger Goose Pond FWA that did not qualify for restoration funding at the time of acquisition. The IDNR and its partners are completing work on the un-restored areas to bring the entire FWA up to maximum productivity. DU will complete engineering and survey work on Field B to reverse the drainage practices used on the property to facilitate row-crop agriculture. The IDNR will complete construction and be responsible for management. Expected results from the Field B restoration include improved wetland productivity, including improved water quality and aquatic plant diversity and growth, and restored ability to manage water levels and subsequent aquatic vegetation. The Field B restoration follows the recent completion of 698 acres of wetland habitat enhancement by IDNR and DU to improve the FWA. These wetland acres that had been invaded by woody plants, thus reducing wetland productivity and management capability.

Ducks Unlimited is the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 12 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever.

Kristin Schrader
kschrader@ducks.org
734.623.2000