The Wisconsin Waterfowl Association (WWA) has embarked on an ambitious initiative aimed at enhancing and restoring public lands across Wisconsin, particularly those that serve as critical habitat for waterfowl. With Wisconsin home to 1.4 million acres of public land utilized for hunting and recreation, the initiative addresses the urgent need for restoration in areas that have become unproductive.

In 2023, the WWA brought on board two restoration ecologists dedicated exclusively to improving public lands. Their mission is to improve habitat and restore wetlands, ensuring the health of waterfowl populations and enhancing hunting success. The initiative, in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), focuses on identifying restorable wetlands and expanding wild rice beds, especially in the state’s ceded territories.

This multi-year partnership has already made significant strides, with over 150 public properties reviewed and several restoration projects planned or underway. The first major project involves restoring 16 acres of wetlands at the Navarino Wildlife Area in Shawano County, with additional projects totaling nearly 225 acres in the planning and design stages at other wildlife areas across the state. Additionally, the initiative has seen success in expanding wild rice beds—a crucial food source for wildlife that has been in decline. In 2023, volunteers collected and seeded 1,730 pounds of wild rice in priority waters.

Wisconsin has lost approximately 50% of it’s wetlands due to drainage, agriculture, development, and incompatible land use practices. These projects aim not only to restore the ecological balance but also to enhance water retention to mitigate flooding, improve groundwater filtration, and reduce erosion.

The funding for these positions comes from various sources, including the Fund for Lake Michigan, the James E. Dutton Foundation, the Wisconsin Bird Fund, and proceeds from the annual Waterfowl Hunters Expo.

Bruce Ross, the Executive Director of WWA, highlighted the organization’s long-standing commitment to habitat conservation. “For 40 years, the WWA has been working to create better habitat, educate and advocate for waterfowl hunters here in Wisconsin. We are excited to expand our efforts to increase habitat
for wildlife and provide an even better experience for hunters in Wisconsin.” You can learn more from Bruce on a recent episode of the UpDuck Podcast where he goes in depth on these initiatives, a potential crane hunt in Wisconsin, and many other topics.

The Wisconsin Waterfowl Association is a state-based non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the conservation of Wisconsin’s waterfowl and wetland resources. Since 1984, WWA has worked to restore critical habitat in Wisconsin, educate the next generation of waterfowl hunters, and advocate for policies that protect Wisconsin’s resources and the rights of citizens to hunt.