Gordy Forester, his dog ‘Buck’ and FWS representative - Photo Credit: Photo by Kurt Svendsgaard/USFWS.

Brood of Golden-eyes on newly restored wetland. - Photo Credit: Photo by Kurt Svendsgaard/USFWS.

Goose brood on wetland - Photo Credit: Photo by Kurt Svendsgaard/USFWS.

During construction picture with water control structure. - Photo Credit: Photo by Kurt Svendsgaard/USFWS.

Completed earthen dike fall of 2010. - Photo Credit: Photo by Kurt Svendsgaard/USFWS.

Let’s face it, most everyone in today’s political and economic climate is looking for some good news to be found…anywhere. For over 23 years more than 130 landowners in the Beltrami and Clearwater Counties in Minnesota have found themselves recipients of wildlife projects benefitting their property. One such landowner is Gordy Forester. Last year, Gordy decided to restore a drained marsh on his property to a productive 18 acre ‘duck factory.'

All of this would not have taken place without the help of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Since 1988, through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) program more than 1,300 such wetlands have been restored; providing more than 2,600 acres of habitat. The best news yet is that most projects have been done at very little cost to the partnering landowners. Kurt Svendsgaard, a biologist with the Partners program explains, “It’s more than the waterfowl that benefit from these types of projects. Just as important, is how the wetlands aid in erosion control, critical flood reduction provided by reduced runoff and improved water quality.”

Flooding has been occurring on a regular spring thaw cycle, due to the drainage of wetlands especially in agricultural areas. Wetlands naturally act as sponges to filter and store water runoff. Through PFW, approximately 3,900 acre-feet of water has been kept on the land for flood storage and water filtering. That’s equivalent to more than 3,000 feet of water piled on a football field - including the end zones!

Most projects are left restored beyond the ten-year agreement period and maintained by landowners, so over the years this is obviously good news to surrounding neighbors who enjoy wildlife, as well as future generations. It is truly a good news message being spread across the counties from landowner to landowner.

Gordy is proud of the project on his property and has added wood duck boxes to enhance it for cavity nesters. “It was a great project and I was glad to be doing something beneficial for the wildlife,” stated Gordy. This is one of many success stories across the landscape with more yet to be told. If you feel you have an opportunity on your land you can contact Kurt at Kurt_Svendsgaard@fws.gov or call at 218.847.2641.