Project: Wisconsin Public Lands Projects
County: Statewide
Project Start Date: 01/01/2023
Project End Date: 12/31/2023
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s January, 2024 Newsletter edition.
Wisconsin Waterfowl Association began the Public Lands program through a contract with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, formalized in January 2023. Mark Pfost joined the team as a part -time Public Lands Ecologist, with Anthony Hatcher hired to fill the full-time Public Lands Ecologist role. Anna Rzchowski was brought on to fill the full -time Public Lands Ecologist role in September 2023.
To date, 144 properties have undergone desktop reviews, with 8 properties under discussion to explore restoration potential, and another two properties moving forward through permitting (Navarino Wildlife Area and Peter Helland Wildlife Area). WWA ecologists continue to evaluate additional properties, prioritizing sites with high Conservation Opportunity scores and those requested by DNR managers.
While a number of DNR-owned wetlands have been hydrologically modified, the number of properties with potential for restoration is further reduced after assessing potential impacts to adjacent private lands, property management goals, and other factors.
If restoration opportunity exists, WWA’s ecologists conduct field surveys, develop restoration plans in collaboration with DNR staff, and facilitate permitting and project contracting and construction. To date, two projects have undergone permitting (an estimated 141 wetland acres to be restored). We anticipate beginning on-the-ground work at these sites in 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Projects in Permitting: Two restorations totaling 141 acres
Navarino Wildlife Area: approx. 16 restored wetland acres (Shawano County) Peter Helland Wildlife Area: approx. 125 restored wetland acres (Columbia County)
Projects in Planning & Scoping: one potential restoration totaling 50 acres
Brooklyn Wildlife Area: approx. 50 acres (Dane County)
Projects in Early Review: Eight potential restorations
Young Prairie SNA: approx. 15 acres under discussion (Walworth County)
Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit: approx. 35 acres (Waukesha County) Koshkonong Wildlife Area (Jefferson County)
Lower Wolf River – Conradt Unit (Outagamie County)
Deer Creek Wildlife Area (Waupaca & Outagamie Counties) Jefferson Wildlife Area (Jefferson County)
Poygan Marsh (Waushara County)
Meadow Valley Wildlife Area (Juneau County)