The lower chippewa and black river confluences floodplain and bluffland habitat restoration project will occur on tiffany and van loon wildlife management areas

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) awarded a $500,000 Cooperative Agreement under the National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements program (CFDA 15.654) to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) for the Lower Chippewa and Black River Confluences Floodplain and Bluffland Habitat Restoration Project. This 4-year project, effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2028, will maintain and enhance at least seven different habitat types, including floodplain forest and sedge meadow, on the Tiffany and Van Loon Wildlife Management Areas in Wisconsin. The project aims to improve the resilience and resistance of these habitats against climate change impacts through management practices such as prescribed fire and forestry mowing. The Cooperative Agreement supports WDNR's efforts to implement the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan and Waterfowl Habitat Conservation Strategy, while also addressing priorities for the identified conservation opportunity areas and Important Bird Areas within the project region.

Tiffany and van loon wmas are identified as continentally significant conservation opportunity areas within the wisconsin wildlife action plan and both are wisconsin important bird areas. The properties are within priority watersheds identified by the wisconsin waterfowl habitat conservation strategy and proposed management actions are consistent with the plan. The goal of the project is to maintain and enhance at least seven different habitat types such as floodplain forest and sedge meadow. Proposed habitat management projects will improve resistance against climate change for the wetland and forest habitats and better resilience against climate change for the more disturbance dependent prairie and barrens habitats. Four habitat management practices will be utilized with prescribed fire and forestry mowing being the main practices.