Waterloo Recreation Area wetland memorializes Oakland County conservationist
Friends, family, supporters gather to dedicate restoration project

GRASS LAKE, Mich. – June 26, 2007 – Approximately 100 gathered on Saturday, June 16, to celebrate the completion of the wetlands restoration project called Baldwin Flooding, part of the Waterloo Recreation Area in Jackson County. Among those assembled was a large contingent of the family of Edson Gallaudet II, a Ducks Unlimited sponsor in perpetuity and an advocate of conservation and hunting in Michigan. Gallaudet passed away in July, 2004, and this project was dedicated to his memory.

Several speakers shared the sunny afternoon stage, including Gallaudet’s son, Edson Gallaudet III, who spoke about his father’s passion for being outdoors and spending time with his loved ones, on behalf of the Gallaudet family. Representing Ducks Unlimited (DU) were former Chairman of the Board and current President of DU Mexico, John Tomke; Manager of Conservation Programs for the Great Lakes/Upper Mississippi region, Russ Terry; Michigan State Chair, Tony Piper, and DU Board Member and Major Donor Chairman for southeast Michigan, Jimmy Flynn. Flynn, who spearheaded the Edson Gallaudet Memorial Fund, presented memorial plaques to members of the Gallaudet family, including Edson II’s widow, Niki, and his children, Edson III and Susie.

“John [Tomke] mentioned that Ed would be very proud of where I’ve gone with DU and I told John I would not be here if it weren’t for Ed,” said Flynn. “John said something that really stuck in my head: ‘You’re right. Ed just made all of us better.’ He was an amazing man and a lifelong supporter of DU’s mission.”

Kristin Bissell, a biologist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and a collaborator on the Baldwin project, spoke about the importance of partner organizations working together. This habitat conservation project was made possible by the Michigan DNR, Consumers Energy Foundation, North American Wetlands Conservation Council and DU with support from Friends of Edson F. Gallaudet II.

Following the presentations, the Gallaudet family gathered to unveil a granite boulder and a plaque at the entrance of the flooding, commemorating Edson II and the supporters who made the project possible. Terry and Bissell took attendees on a guided tour of the project site and explained how the restoration took shape.

“The Baldwin Flooding is located in the southeast Lake Michigan watershed, one of DU’s priority areas for wetlands conservation in the Great Lakes region,” said Terry. “High densities of breeding mallards and wood ducks rely on this region. Our goal is to conserve more than 10,000 additional acres in the watershed in the next five years. The completion of the Baldwin Flooding project is a solid step toward that goal.”

The Baldwin Flooding is located in the floodplain of Trist Creek, a tributary of the Grand River. It makes up 63 of the 21,000 acres of the Waterloo Recreation Area, northeast of Grass Lake. This unique wetland historically provided habitat for waterfowl, shore and wading birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Heavy precipitation in spring 2004 severely damaged the levee and water control structure that maintained wetland hydrology and the Baldwin Flooding was drained. DU provided funding, along with surveying, engineering design, contracting and construction management services to replace the water control structure and rehabilitate the levee and emergency spillway. These improvements will allow the DNR to manipulate water levels as needed to control invasive wetland plants such as purple loosestrife and maintain wetland productivity. The restoration also has given the area new life, opening it up for extensive public use as a favorite destination of waterfowlers and birders alike.

 Contact: Kristin Schrader
Public Affairs Coordinator
   734.623.2000 
kschrader@ducks.org

 With more than a million supporters, Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest and most effective wetland and waterfowl conservation organization, with almost 12 million acres conserved. The United States has lost more than half of its original wetlands—nature’s most productive ecosystem—and continues to lose more than 80,000 acres each year.