Project title wisconsin waterfowl association wetland partnership phase voverview WWA will work cooperatively with the service in the project area to assist in administering the partners for fish…

The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Region 3 awarded a $239,250 Cooperative Agreement to the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association Inc. under the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program (CFDA 15.631).

Through this award, the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association will work cooperatively with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to restore and enhance approximately 75 acres of wetlands and 140 acres of upland habitats on private lands across Wisconsin. This will benefit migratory birds and other wildlife. The Wisconsin Waterfowl Association will administer habitat restoration projects on lands owned by private landowners who have signed 10-year agreements to maintain the project sites. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will provide technical assistance to identify sites and design restoration activities according to program policies. Monitoring will be conducted to ensure project objectives are achieved over the April 1, 2023 to September 30, 2026 award period.

Project title wisconsin waterfowl association wetland partnership phase voverview WWA will work cooperatively with the service in the project area to assist in administering the partners for fish and wildlife program for the benefit of federal trust resources on private land. Our goals and objectives are to restore and enhance grassland and wetland resources in high priority areas as identified in the upper mississippi great lakes joint venture and the wisconsin partners program strategic plan (focus areas). Funds will be obligated and spent on habitat restoration projects on private lands that meet FWS 640.1 partners for fish and wildlife program policies. Goals are to restore 75 acres of wetland and 140 acres of uplands in high priority focus areas throughout wisconsin. On average, wetland projects will cost no more than 1500 acre and upland projects no more than 600 acre.project location statewide in high conservation priority areas project focus wetland and upland habitat to benefit migratory birds.degradation ranking wetlands and grasslands are imperiled ecosystems in wisconsin. The upper mississippi river great lakes joint venture (UMRGLJV) has set habitat goals and objectives for wisconsins bird conservation areas, area 12, 22, and 23 respectively. This proposal works to assist in achieving restoration acres for these goals.fish passage barriers fish passage projects are TBD.project objectives and benefits quantifiable objectives include providing 75 acres of wetland and 140 acres of upland to high priority areas in wisconsin. 75 acres of wetlands will equate to approximately 20 brood rearing, pair bonding and migratory stop over ponds for waterfowl and other wetland dependent birds. These 20 basins will provide nearly 4,500,000 duck use days during spring and fall migration and raise 40 broods of ducks plus additional goose, crane and other wetland dependent wildlife will benefit during all their live cycles.accomplishments wetland restored enhanced, acres, 75 upland restored enhanced, acres, 140 total acres 215SPECIES benefited, migratory birds, pollinators (MONARCH), rusty patched bumble BEE, federally endangeredclimate change wetland and grassland habitat will provide connectivity to existing habitats to mitigate the effects of climate change. Nature based solutions will reduce impacts from extreme precipitation events.project description WWA and the PFW program will work cooperatively to restore and enhance wetland and upland habitats to benefit migratory birds. Sites will be reviewed by staff biologists, plans developed, landowner agreements will be signed committing the service and the landowner to the work identified in the agreement. Projects will be completed in 2023 2027. If additional funds are needed, a MOD will be developed to extend the life of this agreement or add additional funding.partners include wisconsin waterfowl association project officer for this cooperative agreement, staff will work with the PFW staff to implement habitat improvement projects. Private landowners private landowners will sign a 10 year landowner agreement (sub award) and maintain the project throughout the life of the agreementusfws PFW staff will develop projects with private landowners, design restorationactivities, ensure construction is done in accordance with FWS 640.1 PFW policy. USDA wetland standards will be followed.monitoring monitoring will follow FWS 640.1 policy