The Cooper project, a 30-acre restoration along the Nanticoke River in western Wicomico County, encompassed both forested and emergent wetland restoration. The project, which drains into the Quantico Creek watershed, used the Malsam Terracer and a local contractor with bulldozers to build a dike around the low sides of one large field. The dike was tied into the higher ground along Peter's Creek, capturing run-off and rainwater to make two wetland cells at a very affordable price for the landowner. Each cell has its own water control structure and can be managed independently. The sites will be managed for moist-soil plants like fall panicum, foxtail, smartweed, and nut sedge--the main native waterfowl weeds on the shore.

The Cooper project was possible through DU's Habitat Stewardship Program that is primarily funded through federal grants such as NAWCA (North American Wetlands Conservation Act) and the Waterfowl Festival Foundation. The partnership between DU and the Waterfowl Festival has a long-standing history of conserving habitat for ducks from Canada to the eastern shore of Maryland. Since 2000, The Waterfowl Festival contribution has assisted DU in co-funding 135 projects, restoring 1,277 acres of waterfowl habitat on the Delmarva. To learn more about the Waterfowl Festival, please visit www.waterfowlfestival.org.