OSCEOLA-LAKE CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Wetland & Grassland Restorations

Private Lands Wildlife Biologist - Gib King

Restoring Wildlife Habitat: Wetland and Private Lands

The landscape of Michigan has been drastically altered since the early pioneers settled. Before settlers arrived, one third of Michigan consisted of wetlands. Today, almost half of these wetlands have been drained for agriculture, logging, and development. This is unfortunate as wetlands are among the most biologically diverse and productive ecosystems. They provide habitat for thousands of insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals and fish. Often, wetlands function as the core of wildlife habitat. The grasses, shrubs, and trees associated with these wetlands provide essential nesting, brood rearing and roosting cover, and are important to upland birds such as pheasants, turkeys, quail, and many songbirds. Wetlands also provide environmental benefits such as flood retention by holding water during heavy rains and slowly releasing it into the ground, and improved water quality by filtering toxins and sediments from the water.

How can you help to remedy the loss of wetlands? With much of our wildlands being parceled off for homes, management of private lands through landowner involvement is crucial to improving and maintaining quality wildlife habitat. Restoring natural areas, such as wetlands, on your property is a good way to get involved. If you have a drained or degraded wetland, you may be able to provide better, quality habitat by restoring it. A wetland restoration will not only benefit wildlife and the environment, but will also directly benefit you by providing wildlife viewing, hunting, educational, and even economic opportunities.

How do you know if you have a drained or degraded wetland? The presence of a wetland is generally determined by three factors: hydrology (presence of water: at least 2 weeks), hydric plants (water-loving: cattails, sedges, rushed), and hydric soils (generally heavier: clay loam, muck). Drained wetlands have an altered hydrology, as the natural water level is lowered by the presence of ditches or field tiles. Drained wetlands will often be very wet in the spring, but will tend to dry out very quickly. This altered water level in turn alters the plants that are able to grow in the area, and in most cases decreases its value to wildlife. Many times, the result is a semi-wet area in spring that houses mostly aggressive plants such as reed canary grass. Looking at the land characteristics of your property will help to determine if your wetland is degraded. If your property has any of the following: drainage ditches, field tiles, grassy waterways, or natural run-off areas, then a wetland restoration or enhancement may be possible.

How is a wetland restoration accomplished? Restoring a wetland basically involves putting the "wet" back into the wetland. Plugging existing ditches and waterways, or breaking field tiles can accomplish this. Earthen dam-like structures are often incorporated to help impound water back into the natural wetland area. The result of these actions is typically a shallow (less than 6' deep) water area that is closer to the unaltered wetland. Wetland plant seeds that were dormant in the soil due to poor growing conditions (lack of water) are then able to grow, creating better quality wildlife habitat. Results of a wetland restoration are often almost immediate as many wildlife species are quickly drawn to the site, and are one of the most rewarding wildlife management projects a landowner can accomplish.

What technical services are offered to help with wetland restorations? Currently, the West Michigan Wildlife Habitat Working Group (which consists of several local organizations such as the Osceola-Lake Conservation District) along with the US Fish & Wildlife Service, support a wildlife program that provides assistance to private landowners interested in wetland and associated grassland restoration projects on their properties. They have hired a Wildlife Biologist specializing in restorations to assist you by: visiting your property and determining the feasibility of a restoration; surveying and designing your restoration project; securing cost-share options for project completion; applying for any necessary permits, and overseeing project completion (including hiring a contractor). This program is overseen by Timberland Resource Conservation & Development Area Council which assists local communities, agencies, and organizations in working together to complete natural resource projects and programs.

What cost-share options are available for wetland restoration projects? Currently, you can receive cost-share assistance from the Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program through the US Fish & Wildlife Service to complete wetland restoration projects. This program is run in West Michigan through the Timberland RC&D biologist mentioned above. The Partners for Fish & Wildlife program requires a signed agreement stating that the restoration will be kept in tact for a period of 10 years, and the US Fish & Wildlife Service will fully fund the project in conjunction with the Wetlands Foundation of West Michigan and Ducks Unlimited. Last year, this program restored 48 wetlands totaling 156 acres in eight counties in West Michigan. Wetland restoration projects do not include digging out for either shallow or deep water ponds, thus any pond digging cannot be included in this cost-share program.

For more information on wetland restorations, or to have a biologist visit your property, please contact the Osceola-Lake Conservation District or Gib King at (517)351-2241 or e-mail at gib_king@fws.gov. Or write to Gib at: USFWS, Michigan Private Lands Office, 2651 Coolidge Rd, Ste 101, East Lansing, MI 48823.

Check out the following websites for more information:
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

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