New DU Projects
Arizona -- Cibola National Wildlife Refuge Wetland Restoration and Enhancement, La Paz County

Ducks Unlimited is working with Cibola National Wildlife Refuge managers to restore and enhance emergent wetlands. Several habitat units on the refuge are in need of new water control structures to better manage and conserve a limited water supply. The goal of this project is to restore natural plant communities and improve water conveyance capabilities at the refuge by re-vegetating approximately 90 acres of meandering slough with watergrass seed and installing a new water control structure. Increased shallow water habitat and management potential will benefit waterfowl, shorebirds, colonial waterbirds, and neotropical songbirds. In addition, many species of desert wildlife will benefit from improved wetland habitat conditions.  As part of the refuge’s conservation plan, DU will make occasional site visits to ensure the restored and enhanced areas are providing habitat as designed.

California -- Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, Glenn County
Dam 2 Repair

This work will enhance 620 acres of seasonal wetlands and 11 acres of alkali meadow at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge by removing existing hoist mechanisms on Dam 2 and installing new ones. This dam is a major water control structure for a portion of the refuge and it has become very difficult to operate the water control gates due to dilapidated hoist mechanisms.  This dam is used as the primary water control structure to divert water from Logan Creek into management Pool 10 Cell 2 and Pool 11 Cells 3 and 4 and also allows diversion into Pool 7 A Cell 3. This project will continue to allow water to be provided to habitat that benefits wintering waterfowl, shorebirds and other water birds. The refuge's public hunting area is adjacent to these Pools and will benefit from the more efficient water delivery.

Track 42 Enhancement

Work on Track 42 will enhance approximately 128 acres of seasonal wetlands by reconstructing perimeter and internal levees and excavating channels and potholes. This tract has deteriorated in quality due to emergent vegetation limiting waterfowl use.  A series of channels and potholes will be built diversify the unit to provide improved wintering waterfowl habitat and water management capabilities. This project will include the reconstruction of 1.5 miles of perimeter and internal levees, the removal of 0.5 mile of existing interior levee, and excavating channels and potholes. This tract is used as a seasonally flooded wetland to provide summer water management, wintering waterfowl habitat and is located in the spaced blind portion of the public hunt area where the increased waterfowl use once the project is completed should contribute to improved hunter opportunity.

California-- Kern National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Pixley National Wildlife Refuge, Tulare County

This project will restore 650 acres of wetlands, 10 acres of riparian habitat, and 2 acres of associated upland habitats, and enhance 338 acres of associated upland habitat. This will be achieved through grant funds obtained by Ducks Unlimited from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. Natural hydrology associated with the wetlands in this project has been lost due to lack of a functional water infrastructure and adequate water supplies. Minor earthmoving activities will be required to allow full wetland flooding and efficient conveyance of all available water sources to wetlands. Additionally, wetland habitat currently lacks efficient water control structures and topography for optimal wetland management. Project activities include earthmoving activities to improve water management and conveyance, installing pipeline and associated water control structures, constructing water delivery swales, improving side slopes of existing levees, and regrading pond bottoms to allow adequate and efficient water conveyance and diversify existing habitats.

The project site has been managed as wildlife habitat for over 50 years with an emphasis on providing wetland habitat for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. The refuge provides critical upland and riparian habitats as well for other grassland bird species, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals.  Habitat improvements will benefit wintering and migratory waterfowl such as northern pintail, green-winged teal, and northern shoveler.

California-- Riverside County Flyway Association Wetland and Riparian Restoration, Riverside County

Ducks Unlimited is working with the Riverside County Flyway Association to restore emergent wetlands, riparian, and associated uplands to benefit a variety of wildlife in the Prado Basin.  The Riverside County Flyway Association is owned and managed by a multipartner non-profit group dedicated to maintaining high quality wildlife habitat.  The goal of this project is to restore 80 acres of forested and emergent wetlands and 2 acres of associated uplands. This will be accomplished through the installation of 18 water control structures to optimize water conveyance capabilities and optimize wetland management while increasing habitat diversity.

The club has been managed for more than 20 years to provide a wide variety of habitats for wetland-dependant wildlife.  Restoration activities will benefit waterfowl, shorebirds, colonial waterbirds, and neotropical songbirds. A management plan will be written for the Association and DU will ensure continued optimal habitat management practices by helping monitor the effectiveness of this project.