The Northwest priority area was historically dominated by pothole-type wetlands. However, agriculture and urban development have resulted in substantial wetland loss, fragmented grasslands, and increased sediment and nutrient loading to streams and rivers. At present, human population growth poses the greatest threat to existing habitat because this is the fastest growing area of the state.
Conservation Work
The conservation focus in northwest Wisconsin is on protecting and restoring small seasonal wetlands, re-establishing native prairie adjacent to wetlands for production habitat, and expanding existing state and federal wildlife areas. The primary target in the Northwest priority area is breeding habitat, with migration habitat along the Mississippi River. DU’s role in this priority area has been minimal, generally supplying funds to existing programs and partners.
Waterfowl Benefits
This area of Wisconsin supports relatively high densities of breeding waterfowl, particularly mallards, wood ducks, and blue-winged teal. It also provides important staging areas for 22 species of ducks, including canvasbacks, lesser and greater scaup, blue-winged teal, and American wigeon. Protected and restored wetlands and surrounding upland will not only provide waterfowl nesting habitat, but also habitat for threatened and endangered species, improve water quality, control flooding, and provide public recreational benefits.
