View of a ditch draining the wetland area prior to plugging. Photo by Gary Van Vreede

A plug was constructed across the drainage ditch, and a pipe was installed to control water levels and complete the wetland restoration project. Photo by Gary Van Vreede

Service biologist Gary Van Vreede with project partners including the landowner, a Ducks Unlimited representative, and the construction contractor.

In fall 2007, Green Bay Field Office Biologist Gary Van Vreede worked with private landowners to restore wetland habitat in Oconto County, Wisconsin. The site, which had been ditched and farmed for several decades, was taken out of production in the mid 1980s and has since converted to a permanent cover of mixed cool-season grass species.  A small berm was constructed to plug the existing ditch and restore 4 acres of emergent wetland habitat. Two shallow wetland scrapes were excavated within the wetland basin to create diversity and provide areas of more permanent open water.  The restored wetland and surrounding grassland will provide excellent habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, amphibians, reptiles and insects.  Funding for the project was provided through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program.