Landowner Tom Fratt and Biologist Ted Koehler stop and discuss ongoing construction of wetlands through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. - Photo by Kayla Fratt

The Ashland FRO Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program completed many important projects in fiscal year 2006.  These accomplishments resulted in many acres and stream miles restored which will benefit many trust species in the upper Midwest. 

Nine wetland restoration projects totaling 65.5 acres were completed.  Upland projects and waterfowl nesting cover enhancement associated with restoration totaled 129 acres.  Five fish passage projects were completed with 30.3 miles upstream of former barriers opened to fish migration.  Seventeen stream and riparian projects were completed effecting 28.4 miles of stream. 

One native forest restoration was also completed totaling 15 acres.  Twenty-one projects took place on individual or local government owned private land and 2 on tribal land.  The tribes partnered with included the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

The projects completed by this office all have positive effects on trust species such as brook trout, lake sturgeon, American black duck, mallard, American woodcock and migratory songbirds.  For example, stream restoration projects provided additional cover, resting pools and spawning sites for brook trout. 

Wetland projects provided additional feeding and resting sites for migratory waterfowl and songbirds.  Many wetland projects included upland nesting cover protection, providing habitat to the growing number of waterfowl nesting in the area.  The projects also benefit threatened and endangered species which utilize the area such as the bald eagle and gray wolf.  The conservation agreements entered into through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program protect wildlife habitat that may otherwise be developed or destroyed.

Partnerships were developed with individual private land owners, tribes and local governments.  Without the support and dedication to conservation from these individuals and organizations none of the many accomplishments and species benefits would be possible.  Many other agencies and organizations were partners on these restoration projects.  They include; Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas and Iron Counties – Land Conservation Department (LCD), Price County LCD, Sawyer County LCD, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Bad River Watershed Association, Northland College and the Great Lakes Gas and Transmission Company.