Kentucky Partners for Wetland Wildlife
Kentucky Partners for Wetland Wildlife (KPWW) is a cooperative
landowner assistance program offered jointly by the Kentucky Department of Fish
and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR), Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (DU), the U.S. Department
of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
The program was developed to provide landowners interested in wetland
conservation and/or waterfowl habitat management coordinated assistance from
participating governmental and private organizations.
KPWW’s goal is to increase the quantity and quality of habitat
available to migrating and wintering waterfowl and other wetland wildlife
species.
Wetlands and Waterfowl
Kentucky makes its largest contribution to waterfowl and other migratory bird
species as a migrational staging and wintering area.
Most opportunities for private landowners to implement waterfowl and
shorebird management practices involve creating this critical staging and
wintering habitat.
Kentucky is also host to substantial resident populations of wood ducks and
Canada geese, creating added wetland management opportunities.
Moist-Soil Management
Moist-soil management is a technique used to promote the growth of naturally
occurring herbaceous pants. Waterfowl find the seeds, herbage and invertebrates
of these moist-soil plant communities especially attractive when flooded in fall
and winter.
Moist-soil sites have a natural supply of seeds already in the ground waiting
for proper germination conditions.
Flooding is accomplished by closing water-control structures to catch and
hold rainfall and runoff.
Moist-soil management is ideal for cropland in long-term, set-aside programs
and is especially suited to fields where drainage structures and/or levees are
already in place.
Green Tree Reservoirs
Bottomland hardwood forests provide excellent wetland habitat and can be
managed as "green tree reservoirs" by constructing levees and
installing water-control structures.
When flooded, lowland forests comprised of oak and other mast-producing
species provide excellent winter feeding and resting habitat, especially for
wood ducks and mallards.
Note: Hardwoods are not usually damaged by winter flooding when trees are in
their annual dormant stage.
Management Practices and Cost-Shares
Water control for wetland management consists of shallow water (usually two
to 12 inches) on idle acreage, hardwood forests or harvested cropfields between
November 1 (or following fall harvest) and March 1.
The KPWW program will provide water-control structures at no cost to the
landowner, for approved projects.
For approved projects where levees must be constructed (or refurbished), KPWW
may reimburse the landowner as much as 50 percent of those costs up to a $5000
maximum payment.
Projects involving free water-control structures and/or cost-shared levee
work require a minimum 10-year agreement and hunting is limited on those project
areas.
Pre-approval is always required.
Nesting Structures
Wood duck nesting boxes and predator guards are available FREE of charge for
approved sites. Note: Boxes and guards not properly installed and/or maintained
annually will be invoiced at a rate of $90 per unit.
Plans for Canada goose nest structures are available and landowners can be
reimbursed for materials costs up to a $75 maximum payment.
Pre-approval is always required.
Technical Guidance
KPWW always provides FREE technical advice and guidance for achieving the
management goals of private landowners.
Federal Programs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers several programs that benefit
landowners as well as wetland wildlife. The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), the
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program
(WHIP) are just a few of the current Farm Bill programs that contain practices
beneficial to wetlands and waterfowl. To find out more, contact your area’s
KDFWR-NRCS Liaison (listed on this web site) or phone the your nearest NRCS
field office (listed in the White Pages under U.S. Government).
The USFWS "Partners for Fish & Wildlife" program assists
landowners with various habitat improvement projects including restoration of
natural wetlands such as bottomland hardwood forests. For more information,
contact their Southeast Regional Office; phone 1-404-679-7138.
Getting Started
Participation begins with a no-obligation site visit. Contact your nearest
KDFWR private lands biologist (PLB) or NRCS Liaison and arrange an appointment.
They will meet with you, take a look at your property and discuss your habitat
management goals.
In a short time, you’ll receive a custom-tailored habitat management plan
to fit your needs, including information about KPWW and any other applicable
state and/or federal assistance programs. There’s no risk and no obligation.
Whether (and to what extent) you implement your habitat plan is entirely up to
you.
Find Out More
To learn more about KPWW or any other wildlife habitat program, speak to your
nearest KDFWR biologist. PLB’s, NRCS Liaisons and contact information are
listed on this web site. From our home page, click on Wildlife, then on Contacts.
If you’re still not sure who your PLB or NRCS Liaison is, contact the KDFWR;
phone 1-800-858-1549.
Kentucky Sportsmen Pay for Conservation
The KY Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources is funded through the sale of
hunting and fishing licenses and boat registrations. It receives no general fund
tax dollars.
The KY Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources does not discriminate on the
basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in
employment or the provision of services. Upon request, the department provides
reasonable accommodation including auxiliary aids and services necessary to
afford individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in all
programs and activities.