California Wetlands Reserve Program Success Story

Yolo County, California

When he purchased it in 1989, Dyer's land looked much like the fields in this photo.

In 1989, Yolo County realtor Jeff Dyer purchased 98 acres of marginal farmland east of Zamora, California. The land had previously been used to grow rice, tomatoes, and other crops, but the heavy alkaline clay soil made farming conditions less than ideal. Dyer farmed part of the land, but he had other plans for a large portion of the property. He wanted to restore a wetland.

Dyer loves wildlife and is an avid hunter. He envisioned a special place where wildlife could thrive and be viewed in a natural setting. In 1999, with assistance provided through USDA's Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), Dyer began to make his vision a reality. He successfully restored 34 acres of seasonal marsh through a 30-year WRP easement.

NRCS assisted Dyer with the excavation work necessary to restore the natural hydrology of the property and improve habitat for wetland-dependent wildlife. The work included construction of shallow water areas, levees, and water-control structures.  Excavation spoil was used to build levees and create islands in two of the ponds.

Dyer established and maintains a variety of wetland plants and perennial vegetation that reduce soil erosion and sedimentation, improve water quality, and provide habitat for wildlife.  He also installed a pump to control the water level for brood pond areas and resident waterfowl.

Dyer's property after restoration.

Dyer's efforts to create a rich and diverse environment for wildlife have paid off. Songbirds are ubiquitous. The ponds are commonly filled with ducks, geese, egrets, and other waterfowl. The fields are alive with many varieties of game birds. Deer, coyotes, rabbits, muskrats, raccoons and many other animals are frequent visitors to the ponds.

"There are usually hundreds of ducks in the ponds-even during hunting season," said Dyer.  "And when I go hunting out there, I'll usually find over 200 pheasants," he said pointing to a field of tall grass east of the ponds.

Dyer often experiments with the plants he uses to attract wildlife-trying to find the right mix. And sometimes he makes startling discoveries by accident. After burning one field to eliminate weeds, Dyer discovered the field border was gumplant. Dyer explained, "the next time I came out, that strip was thick with doves. I didn't realize it before, but doves just love gumplant."

Dyer said that he is now planning to put in some hedgerows around his sediment basin and maybe some trees that would attract even more birds.

Dyer's lush pond-side vegetation provides excellent nesting areas for ducks and geese. A wildlife enthusiast, Dyer works with the California Waterfowl Association through its Mallard Brood Pond Program in addition to his WRP efforts.

From left to right, Range Management Specialist Stephen Jaquen, Jeff Dyer, and Soil Conservationist John Weatherford examine flourishing perennial native grasses that provide upland wildfife habitat.

Program Contact

Alan Forkey, 530-792-5600
 

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