B08_Solicitation_Attachment_4_-_Section_508_Complaint_Report_Example_3_1_24_62_pgs.pdf

Partners for Fish and Wildlife 2023 Annual Report

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program is achieving the mission of the Service, working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

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PARTNERS FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE

2023 ANNUAL REPORT

MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF...........2-3

NATIONAL OVERVIEW......................4-11

STATE PERFORMANCE DATA ........12-115

CONTACT.............................................116-119

Left page: Partners for Fish and Wildlife staff in California supported California Department of Fish and Wildlife to reintroduce beavers in cooperation with local tribes, for the first time in more than 75 years!

Photo © California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Left inset: Restored wetland in Ohio. ©USFWS.

Migratory waterfowl utilizing newly restored Lemon Fair River wetland restoration project in Vermont. ©USFWS.

USFWS National Wildlife Refuge System Chief Cynthia Martinez. ©USFWS.

MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF

Celebrating Conservation Together

In 2023, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) celebrated conservation success through two significant anniversaries, the 120th year of the of the National Wildlife Refuge System and 50 years since the signing of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Together the Refuge System and ESA have ensured conservation throughout the United States, protecting wildlife and preserving habitats for both wildlife and people.

Beyond the boundaries of the National Wildlife Refuge System, the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program works with partners and private landowners to amplify the impactful conservation of the Refuge System and

ESA.

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Since the beginning of the Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program in 1987, we have partnered with more than 30,000 landowners, working together to care for more than six million acres of habitat for wildlife and people across America.

In 2023, our 220 biologists completed 1,896 wildlife habitat projects across all states and U.S. territories, restoring and enhancing 167,230 acres of uplands, 15,566 acres of wetlands and 215 miles of rivers and streams for fish, wildlife and plant species.

Over the past year, we came together with conservation partners to celebrate voluntary conservation contributions that resulted in the delisting and downlisting of species from the ESA and prevention of species from needing ESA protections. Voluntary conservation efforts have significantly contributed to recovery of several species, including the Oregon chub, Louisiana black bear, Fender’s blue butterfly, Bradshaw’s desert parsley, Delmarva fox squirrel and fluvial Arctic grayling.

We reflected upon our roots working beyond the boundaries of national wildlife refuges. With our partners we have conserved and connected habitats while promoting equity, inclusion and diversity, urban conservation and youth engagement amidst our cooperative efforts. Each day seems to bring a new set of challenges and opportunities, and we continue to innovate and adapt at a rate far greater than we could have imagined.

I look forward to working together with all of you in 2024 and beyond to continue to re-imagine conservation solutions for people and wildlife.

Cynthia Martinez, Chief National Wildlife Refuge System

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Above: Map showcasing PFW projects completed in 2023 across the country.

Background photo: heavy equipment restoring a wetland in MN. ©USFWS.

1,896

PFW PROJECT

INVESTMENT

PARTNER

CONTRIBUTION

LEVERAGE

TOTAL

PROJECT

INVESTMENT

NATIONWIDE

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

PFW biologist Mitch Osborne with Alaska Regional Director Sara Boario at Cripple Creek watershed restoration project. ©USFWS.

$10.04M

$55.01M

$1:5.4

$65.05M

The PFW program provides technical and financial assistance to landowners interested in restoring and enhancing wildlife habitat on their land. Projects are custom designed to meet landowners’ needs.

Since the PFW program’s start in 1987, more than 25,000 landowners have worked with PFW biologists to complete 40,000 habitat restoration projects across 6 million acres.

PFW projects are voluntary.

Participating landowners continue to own and manage their land to serve their needs while they improve conditions for fish, wildlife and plants.

The health of the country’s fish and wildlife populations depends on private landowners, who manage more than two-thirds of the country’s land.

Many PFW projects take place on working landscapes such as forests, farms and ranches. Our goal is to keep lands working: increasing sustainability and yield while improving habitat for wildlife. We focus our efforts on areas of conservation concern, such as upland prairies, wetlands, rivers and streams. Projects range in size and scope to benefit federal trust species including migratory birds, endangered, threatened and at-risk species.

PROJECTS

1,592 New Landowners Enrolled in 2023

182,795 Private Landowner Acres Restored in 2023

$1:5.40 Federal Dollars Leveraged with Partners

Working with 1,592 landowners and 483 partnering organizations, we completed 1,896 collaborative restoration and enhancement projects in 2023.

WORKING

TOGETHER

STREAM

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MILES

WETLAND

ACRES

FISH

PASSAGE

STRUCTURES

UPLAND

ACRES

15,566

167,230

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2022-2026 STRATEGIC PLANS

A Comprehensive Approach to Conservation Planning and Delivery

Our conservation efforts are guided by a three-part National Strategic Plan, which we update every five years. This revision is our fourth generation plan that will cover fiscal years 2022–2026. Collectively, the components of the plan identify conservation goals, priorities, and objectives that were developed collaboratively among Headquarters, regional and field staff, in collaboration with conservation partners and stakeholders. The national strategic plan ensures that we continually allocate our resources toward habitats and priorities with the greatest need. The National Strategy presents the vision, goals, and national priorities. The Regional Implementation Plans present each Region’s geographic focus areas (i.e., priorities), focal species, and conservation objectives. The Strategic Plan Review reports on the Regions’ previous five-year accomplishments and summarizes the Regions’ conservation objectives.

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NATIONAL INITIATIVES

Conservation Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Diversity, inclusion, racial justice and equity are complex, societal challenges that require thoughtful and ambitious solutions. The PFW Program is committed to providing benefits to the American people as we carry out our mission. As part of the Justice 40 initiative, the PFW Program is reviewing how our habitat conservation projects can provide additional benefits and better support these initiatives. Fundamental to our conservation approach is building a diverse coalition of stakeholders, including underrepresented and underserved people, such as Tribes and minority communities and delivering projects that in addition to wildlife conservation, benefit people and communities.

Urban Conservation According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 80% of Americans live in urban areas. The Service recognizes the future success of conservation lies ultimately in our ability to inspire Americans to connect with the outdoors and nature, and to become stewards of the environment which support their communities and the fish and wildlife resources on which they depend.

Youth and Nature The PFW Program works to foster a connection with nature in communities, especially among youth – the next generation of environmental stewards. The Service is committed to working with local and national non-profit youth organizations by providing internships and other employment opportunities.

By partnering with these organizations, upon completion of their commitment, these youth are eligible for a variety of jobs under Special Hiring Authorities in the Service. We can do this by working with local schools, youth job corps and others to create, we help create employment opportunities and restore natural spaces that educate and engage young people.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Species Conservation Implement habitat projects within priority areas that prevents decline or supports recovery of species of greatest conservation concern, including federal listed species, Birds of Conservation Concern, pollinators and interjurisdictional fish. This priority supports the Service’s conservation mission and our role as stewards of federal trust species with intent to make improvements in select species status.

Habitat Connectivity Integrate projects at a landscape level to improve habitat connectivity and functionality. This priority recognizes that interconnected habitats and migration corridors are vital to fish and wildlife conservation and the work of the PFW Program can support and leverage other ongoing conservation efforts including on National Wildlife Refuges and other protected lands.

Resilient Ecosystems Advance ecosystem health and resilience to climate change related impacts to benefit communities of fish, wildlife, plants and people. This priority acknowledges that climate change affects all parts of the ecosystem, including those in which humans depend, and the PFW Program can work with diverse partners to support conservation actions to help them respond to climate change stressors.

GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS AREAS

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SOLUTIONS

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A LEADER IN IMPLEMENTING NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS

A Nature-based Solution (NBS) is an action that incorporates natural features and processes to protect, conserve, restore, sustainably use, and manage natural or modified ecosystems to address socio-environmental challenges while providing measurable co-benefits to and benefit both people and nature.

NBS implementation can be referred to as “green infrastructure” or “natural infrastructure.” Executive Order 14072 directed the federal government to accelerate our use of solutions that are grounded in nature, calling for the deployment of NBS to improve the resilience of our lands, waters, wildlife, and communities in the face of climate change.

PFW plays a pivotal role in implementing NBS to address environmental challenges and promote sustainability. NBS, as championed by the Department of Interior, involve using natural processes and ecosystems to mitigate environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss and habitat degradation. NBS build resilience and enhance the benefit of nature for people and the environment for the present and future society. These solutions often involve the restoration of ecosystems to their natural state, providing a habitat for wildlife while simultaneously offering benefits such as water purification, flood control, and climate resilience. NBS provide multiple benefits: they not only address specific environmental concerns but also contribute to overall ecological health and resilience.

PFW is a leader in delivering NBS through habitat restoration activities such as wetland restoration, stream restoration, and the establishment of native vegetation. These activities not only benefit fish and wildlife populations but also enhance biodiversity and ecological health. For instance, wetland restoration helps in reestablishing the natural hydrology of an area, providing critical habitat for waterfowl and other aquatic species, while also improving water quality and reducing soil erosion.

Throughout this report, PFW showcases how nature-based solutions can be implemented effectively through community and stakeholder collaboration, underscoring the potential of these solutions in addressing environmental challenges while promoting biodiversity and ecological sustainability. PFW and other voluntary conservation programs serve as a model for NBS efforts, demonstrating how human activities and natural ecosystems can coexist in harmony for the mutual benefit of wildlife and people.

PFW is a leader within the Department of Interior in implementing Nature-Based Solutions by delivering conservation projects such as stream restoration, culvert replacement, fish passage, fuel management, pollinator gardens and reforestation. Photos

©USFWS.

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Keeping Working Lands Working

FARM

CONSERVATION

USFWS photo.

USFWS photo.

USFWS photo.

Rural landowners are some of our most important partners in conservation. By working in the right areas and applying best available science, wildlife conservation and sustainable agriculture can fit together like hand in glove.

The Farm Conservation program serves as a liaison to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), providing technical assistance in the development, implementation and evaluation of Farm Bill conservation programs to ensure shared conservation goals are met, maximizing the benefit to Federal Trust species. By working with our nation’s farmers, ranchers and forest landowners, we can implement conservation practices that will contribute to the long-term sustainability of both their agricultural operations and the wildlife populations that depend on the lands under their stewardship.

Ranchers working on a project in California. Photo copyright Conservation Media.

IN 2023, THE FARM CONSERVATION PROGRAM:

• Provided technical assistance at the national, state and local levels in support of efforts by USDA to target Farm Bill resources to conserve priority wildlife and their habitats and facilitate ecosystem resilience to climate change.

• Tracked implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill and provided information updates on conservation program funding, rules, and policies, including additional conservation program funding provided to USDA through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

• Coordinated with State Fish and Wildlife agencies and other partners to leverage resources and maximize conservation opportunities offered by the Farm Bill.

• Worked with NRCS, as directed by Congress in the 2018 Farm Bill, to support implementation of the Working Lands for Wildlife, which offers regulatory predictability to agricultural producers who take actions to conserve declining species on their lands.

• Facilitated engagement by the agricultural community in pollinator conservation efforts.

• Coordinated implementation of the National Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration including projects to increase native seed collection and production with $5 million in funding provided through the Ecosystem Restoration provisions of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act.

• Strengthened relationships with agricultural professionals who deliver conservation on private lands through the development of an MOU with the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD).

• Developed tools to support FWS land managers to incorporate soil health practices in land management planning activities.

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PFW PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

PARTNER

CONTRIBUTIONS

TOTAL

PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

UPLAND

ACRES

WETLAND

ACRES

ALABAMA

Left: Before restoration, Right: After restoration. ©USFWS.

$296,952

STATE SUMMARY

$689,112

$986,064

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4,056

2.5

LEVERAGE

$1:2.3

PROJECT

HIGHLIGHT:

Trispot Darter Cooperative, 3-for-1 Barrier Removal Project

In early 2023, restoration activities at three barrier locations were addressed. These restoration activities were part of a large collaborative effort between the Service, a timber investment company, CAWACO Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc. (CAWACO) and a private landowner. For this specific project, a priority site was identified that restricted upstream migration to potential spawning habitats for the Trispot Darter (Etheostoma trisella), a federally threatened fish species.

Project efforts consisted of removing a concrete pipe culvert (approximately 36 inches in diameter) and replacing it with an aluminum bottomless arch structure on a private road crossing of an unnamed tributary to Little Canoe Creek located in St. Clair County, Alabama. The unnamed tributary is an intermittent stream that partially traverses through property owned by the timber investment company and a private landowner. Survey efforts by Service staff and other partners identified this area as a priority project site due to proximity of historic and recent occurrence records for Trispot Darter.

As previously referenced, this project was part of a larger collaborative effort. Additional efforts included two other restoration project sites. The two additional project sites involved the complete removal of upstream migration barriers that are restricting fish passage. Specifically, at one site a dilapidated corrugated steel culvert was completely removed, and the stream restored to a natural grade to promote upstream migration. At the other site, an access road that crosses a stream was decommissioned and that stream also restored to grade. These two sites are also on property owned by the timber investment company. Both also have recent records for Trispot Darter below the respective structures/barriers. The timber investment company agreed to restore these two sites as a cost-share to the funding for this Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funded project.

This project leveraged funds from federal sources and a private timber investment company. Most of the funding was provided by the BIL. The PFW Program and CAWACO also provided in-kind contributions (e.g., environmental compliance, project oversight, and coordination) for this project.

Above: Completed 2023 PFW projects in Alabama.

Below: chart showcasing project investments by habitat type.

of Number

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XX

XX

STREAM

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MILES

FISH

PASSAGE

STRUCTURE

1.5

UPLAND

ACRES

WETLAND

ACRES

ALASKA

Happy Creek channel construction (top), active construction of stream channel (bottom left), site construction prep (bottom middle), Happy Creek fishway now connects to Cripple Creek natural channel (bottom right). ©USFWS.

Director Williams visiting the Cripple Creek restoration site. ©USFWS.

PROJECT

HIGHLIGHT:

Cripple Creek Watershed Restoration

For a number of years, the PFW Program in Alaska has been working to evaluate, prioritize, and restore stream habitat function in the Cripple Creek watershed.

Cripple Creek is a tributary to the Chena River, which is one of the most important Chinook and Chum Salmon spawning rivers for the United States origin salmon populations in the Yukon River.

Historically, Cripple Creek water was diverted for mining use, abandoning the natural Cripple Creek channel in place and creating a drainage ditch that parallels the natural channel throughout much of the watershed. In 2023, PFW in Alaska accomplished a major milestone in Cripple Creek restoration by constructing a stream diversion that directed water from the Happy Creek watershed and the Cripple Creek drainage ditch back into the natural meandering channel of Cripple Creek.

The restored flow to Cripple Creek created functioning fish and wildlife habitat that hasn’t existed for decades and we are working with project partners to monitor salmon use of Cripple Creek. This section of Cripple Creek is protected habitat and part of a nature trail network that can be enjoyed by the entire community. Completion of this project restored 6.2 acres of functioning stream, riparian, and floodplain habitat.

PFW in Alaska will continue to prioritize future restoration efforts in the watershed through on-going local partnerships and new resources through the Yukon River Gravel to Gravel Keystone Initiative.

3.98

6.23

PFW PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

PARTNER

CONTRIBUTIONS

TOTAL

PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

$386,261

$664,431

$1.05M

LEVERAGE

$1:1.7

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Above: Completed 2023 PFW projects in Alaska.

STATE SUMMARY

of Number

NUMBER

of Number

XX

XX

WETLAND

ACRES

UPLAND

ACRES

0.21

ARIZONA

PFW Biologist with Tucson Audubon planting native vegetation during pond installation in June 2022 and AZGFD Biologist releasing a Chiricahua leopard frog egg mass into the pond. ©USFWS.

PFW biologist with landowners showcasing the Partners sign on the wall. ©USFWS.

PROJECT

HIGHLIGHT:

Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary Pond: A Habitat Enhancement Project for a Variety of Species

The Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary is a place to explore and experience the diverse bird species of southeast Arizona.

The site includes features to attract birds and birders alike.

In 2020, the sanctuary started constructing a pond to fulfill their founder’s vision and create breeding habitat for Gila topminnow and desert pupfish. Partnering with Tucson Audubon Society (TAS) they successfully constructed the pond blending it smoothly into the surrounding landscape.

TAS installed a recirculating stream and a waterfall outflow to the pond, increasing aeration and breeding opportunities for the fish, while also improving habitat for butterflies and macroinvertebrates. A portion of the pond was converted to a permanent wetted Cienega, supporting an array of wetland plants.

Within the pond, three vegetated floating islands with wetland pollinator plants aid in nutrient control and provide refugia for wildlife. Native plants were established to provide food sources for Montezuma quail and pollinators around the wetland complex. TAS completed multiple rounds of invasive plant removal throughout the site to protect the disturbed wetland complex. In August of 2023, various organizations collaborated to introduce Chiricahua Leopard Frog egg masses to the pond.

This project aimed to enhance the existing pond for Gila Topminnow and desert pupfish, create suitable areas for Huachuca water umbel and Arizona eryngo, plant native food sources for Montezuma Quail, and introduce flowering plants to support various pollinators. In the end, four threatened and endangered species were established at the wetland, with one pending due to plant availability.

1,912

PFW PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

PARTNER

CONTRIBUTIONS

TOTAL

PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

$406,511

$122,538

$529,049

LEVERAGE

$1:0.3

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Above: Completed 2023 PFW projects in Arizona.

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NUMBER

of Number

XX

XX STREAM

AND RIVER

MILES

0.99

UPLAND

ACRES

ARKANSAS

Before (left) and after (right) timber stand improvement restoration. ©USFWS.

Open oak woodland after restoration. ©USFWS.

PROJECT

HIGHLIGHT:

Stone Prairie Adjacent Uplands

This project assisted private landowners and partners with restoring a native savanna and open-woodland ecosystem that was characteristic of the uplands in central Arkansas pre- European settlement.

PFW in Arkansas provided funding and technical assistance for timber stand improvement to transition the overstocked shade-tolerant forest back into an open canopy of fire-tolerant tree species with a dense herbaceous understory of native forbs and grasses that are critical to many declining grassland-dependent species of greatest conservation need. In conjunction with timber thinning, our partners the Arkansas Game and Fish

Commission and Quail Forever collaborated on invasive grass species removal and helping the landowner conduct prescribed fire on the site. This project is in a strategic location that serves as a corridor to connect two state-managed wildlife areas that are hotspots of grassland species diversity, including the declining northern bobwhite quail, Texas frosted elfin, and monarch butterfly.

Together, it now provides over 5,000 acres of contiguous grassland habitat. This project showcases strategic landscape-scale conservation planning while also addressing critical priorities like increasing the availability of suitable habitat for pollinator conservation and benefiting federal trust resources by increasing foraging opportunities for federally threatened and endangered bats. The landowners will maintain the restored habitat with periodic prescribed fire on a 2-3 year rotation. The PFW program and project partners are coordinating follow-up biodiversity surveys to evaluate how the flora and fauna species composition has changed following the restoration. 86.4

PFW PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

PARTNER

CONTRIBUTIONS

TOTAL

PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

$88,000

$215,309

$303,309

LEVERAGE

$1:2.4

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Above: Completed 2023 PFW projects in Arkansas.

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of Number

XX

XX STREAM

AND RIVER

MILES

WETLAND

ACRES

8.87

UPLAND

ACRES

CALIFORNIA

Releasing beavers at the Tasmam Koyom Meadow for the first time in 75 years! ©USFWS.

Meeting with project partners at the Tasmam Koyom Meadow project site. ©CDFWG.

PROJECT

HIGHLIGHT:

Beaver Reintroduction

Since 2019, the PFW Program in California, with the support of tribal landowners and state partners, has been revitalizing the stream and meadow habitats of Tasmam Koyom (Humbug) Meadow, a 2,000-acre wet meadow in Plumas County.

This restoration initiative, spearheaded by the Maidu Summit Consortium—a collective of Maidu tribal bands—aims to reintroduce beavers to the ecosystem, marking the first such effort in California in over 70 years. Yellow Creek, a crucial headwater of the Feather and Sacramento Rivers, runs through the meadow.

The restoration enhanced water storage, releasing snowmelt downstream later in the season, thereby supporting downstream agriculture and increasing watershed resiliency against climate change.

The meadow, which suffered extensive damage during the 2020 Dixie wildfire, was restored using Process-Based Low-Tech Restoration techniques. Workshops in 2022 and 2023 trained 75 participants annually, many from the Maidu and other tribes, in these methods. Additionally, in 2023, PFW funded experimental use of Trax equipment to transport fire-damaged trees across the snow for stream restoration, minimizing meadow impact during warmer months.

The restoration of Tasmam Koyom Meadow, which provides public access, is expected to enhance the diversity and abundance of native flora and fauna, including the American Beaver, serving as a restoration model for Northern California.

For $260,000, the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program has:

-Built 351 new structures, and have reworked about 70 of them at least once -Built 5 stream miles, doubling our channel length -Increased wetted area by more than 1000%

1,212

PFW PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

PARTNER

CONTRIBUTIONS

TOTAL

PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

$675,000

$1.79M

$2.47M

LEVERAGE

$1:2.6

CA

LIFO

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Above: Completed 2023 PFW projects in California.

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XX

XXUPLAND

ACRES

STREAM

AND RIVER

MILES

CARIBBEAN

Left: Individual of Oplonia spinosa, host plant for the Harlequin butterfly. Photo by Jennifer Valentin/USFWS.

Right: Flowering Oplonia spinosa during the visit to certify implemented practices. Photo by Alexandra Galindo/USFWS

Envirosurvey, Inc. (NGO) assisting in the certification of implemented practices.

Photo by Alexandra Galindo/USFWS.

PROJECT

HIGHLIGHT:

Habitat Restoration Project for the Harlequin Butterfly (Atlantea tulita) in Maricao and Sabana Grande

The PFW Program in the Caribbean, in collaboration with Envirosurvey, Inc. (NGO), the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and private landowners, has been working to restore habitat for the Puerto Rican harlequin butterfly (Atlantea tulita) within private lands in the Maricao and Sabana Grande municipalities of western Puerto Rico. This initiative involves planting 475 Oplonia spinosa (the butterfly’s host plant) and 425 individuals of various other species like Poitea punicea and Eugenia ligustrina to enhance the butterfly’s habitat. The project, primarily focused in Maricao, also aims to create ecological corridors to expand the butterfly’s distribution.

Located in western Puerto Rico’s central mountain range, encompassing six watersheds, the project area is integral to the region’s agricultural community, notably its primary coffee production zone. This initiative boosts local economy through landowner-based conservation, ecologically sustainable agroforestry, and native tree planting. It supports sustainable management of forests and agricultural lands, enhancing habitats for endangered species and protecting wildlife, soil, and water resources.

This project aligns with the Southeast Region Strategic Plan and complements initiatives like the Shade-grown Coffee Restoration Initiative. The conservation areas within these agricultural lands are habitats for diverse wildlife, including migratory birds and the threatened elfin-woods warbler. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been deeply involved in the project, offering technical assistance from planning to implementation and monitoring, ensuring successful restoration practices. The Service continues to educate landowners about the Puerto Rican harlequin butterfly and encourages conservation efforts on their properties.

11.8

2.08

PFW PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

PARTNER

CONTRIBUTIONS

TOTAL

PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

$2,540

$139,847

$142,387

LEVERAGE

$1:55

CA

RIBBEA

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Above: Completed 2023 PFW projects in Puerto Rico.

of Number

NUMBER

of Number

XX

XX

STREAM

AND RIVER

MILES

WETLAND

ACRES

8.15

UPLAND

ACRES

1,107

COLORADO

Before restoration (left), post construction (middle) and restored habitat (right).

Landowner spreading seeds over the disturbed area (below). Photos by Kelsea Holloway and Ashley Mertz.

PROJECT

HIGHLIGHT:

Crossing Property Boundaries for Collaborative Conservation

Habitat does not abide by human-drawn boundaries which provided an opportunity for different organizations to work together for a common goal. In 2023, PFW Private Lands Biologist, Kelsea Holloway brought together multiple partners including Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, Ducks Unlimited, and private landowners to restore a valuable local wetland in eastern Colorado.

The wetland area spans public and private land boundaries along the South Platte River. The project involved the removal of cattails and sediment from a warm water slough using an excavator, the installation of beaver flow devices through two beaver dams, and reseeding of disturbed areas with a diverse riparian seed mix. Identifying goals, planning, surveying, budget development, and management was made easy through the collaboration of all parties involved.

Warm water sloughs are valuable wintering wetland habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife. During the coldest days of the year when other bodies of water are frozen over, warm water sloughs remain open because of continues flow and from being groundwater-fed. Sloughs quickly revert to frozen water bodies when the water velocity slows due to sedimentation, cattail invasion, and beaver dam installation.

Historically, natural floods would scour these wetlands which would restore their function and value. With present day hydrological alterations, those floods are less frequent. Human intervention is necessary to restore these rare wetlands. This project is the beginning of partners working across boundaries to restore sloughs all along the South Platte River to benefit wildlife.

1,819

PFW PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

PARTNER

CONTRIBUTIONS

TOTAL

PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

$46,721

$1.68M

$1.72M

LEVERAGE

$1:36

CO

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Above: Completed 2023 PFW projects in Colorado.

of Number

NUMBER

of Number

XX

XXUPLAND

ACRES

CONNECTICUT

Youth from the surrounding community in Hartford engaged in planting and learned about pollinator benefits. ©USFWS.

Planting at Knox Garden in Hartford. ©USFWS

PROJECT

HIGHLIGHT:

Youth Restore Hartford’s Pollinators

PFW in Connecticut worked with KNOX inc., a community-based organization with over 20 urban agriculture gardens sites throughout the city of Hartford, to improve habitat for pollinators.

Hartford has a population of 120,000 people with 28% of residents in poverty. A team of volunteers and staff selected a site and planted an educational pollinator garden in the heart of Hartford to communicate the importance of pollinators for urban agriculture.

Youth from the surrounding community engaged in planting and learned about the benefits of pollinators in their community. This is a model that we hope to repeat and grow in many of the other gardens in the Hartford.

1.6

*IN-KIND OR TECHNICAL

ASSISTANCE PROVIDED

BY PFW PROGRAM TO

SUPPORT PROJECT

IMPLEMENTATION IN

LIEU OF FINANCIAL

ASSISTANCE.

PFW PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

PARTNER

CONTRIBUTIONS

TOTAL

PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

$0*

$850

$850

CO

N

N

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TICU

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Above: Completed 2023 PFW projects in Connecticut.

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NUMBER

of Number

XX

XXWETLAND

ACRES

28.63

DELAWARE

Choptank watershed restoration site. ©USFWS.

Migratory bird using utilizing restored habitat. ©USFWS.

PROJECT

HIGHLIGHT:

Emergent Wetland Restoration

This year’s highlight project restored the hydrology to 5.39 acres of emergent wetlands through the shallow (1 foot or less) excavation of the existing wet areas in the agriculture row crop field.

The excavated material was used to construct low berms that will increase the ponding area.

The water control structures will allow a mosaic of separate moist soil management cells to promote emergent vegetation growth in the spring and summer, which will provide habitat structure and food for waterfowl and wading birds.

The goal of the project is to provide a longer hydro period to benefit waterfowl, wading birds, spotted turtles and various amphibians.

The projects is located in the Choptank River watershed, a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay.

PFW PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

PARTNER

CONTRIBUTIONS

TOTAL

PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

$0

$100,000

$100,000

D

ELAW

A

RE ACCO

M

PLISH

M

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TS

Above: Completed 2023 PFW projects in Delaware.

Below: chart showcasing project investments by habitat type.

*IN-KIND OR TECHNICAL

ASSISTANCE PROVIDED

BY PFW PROGRAM TO

SUPPORT PROJECT

IMPLEMENTATION IN

LIEU OF FINANCIAL

ASSISTANCE.

of Number

NUMBER

of Number

XX

XX STREAM

AND RIVER

MILES

WETLAND

ACRES

1.29

UPLAND

ACRES

67.6

FLORIDA

Aerial view of the prescribed fire. Photo by Hal Scott.

Left: Lake Monroe, post mow and post fire. Right: Florida scrub jays. ©USFWS.

PROJECT

HIGHLIGHT:

St. Johns River Water Management District Habitat Enhancement

With a mission to ensure the sustainable use of water throughout East Central and Northeast Florida, the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) welcomed multi-year support from PFW to enhance upland habitat on over 1,300 acres of conservation land in three counties.

With SJRWMD providing almost a 1:1 match in cash and in-kind services, the partnership included strategies designed to support habitat needs of various listed and at-risk species including the red-cockaded woodpecker (E), Florida scrub-jay (T), eastern indigo snake (T), and Florida pine snake (AR).

Approximately 13 acres of sandhill at Pellicer Creek Conservation Area were mechanically treated to reduce invasive sand pines, oaks, and residual stumps prior to planting native ground cover seed mix in support of the eastern indigo snake. Over 75 acres of pine flatwoods at Hal Scott Regional Preserve and Park received heavy mowing prior to the aerial application of prescribed fire across nearly 1,263 acres improving connectivity among 12 active red-cockaded woodpecker clusters. Finally, over 17 acres of scrub at Lake Monroe Conservation Area were mulched along with firebreak improvements before applying prescribed fire in support of the resident Florida scrub-jay, eastern indigo snake, and Florida pine snake populations.

Culminating in the summer of 2023, with over 95% of this work occurring throughout protected lands found within the legislatively recognized Florid Wildlife Corridor, PFW was able to contribute to habitat connectivity at a landscape scale while fulfilling objectives of both the Service and our partners at the Water Management District.2,416

PFW PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

PARTNER

CONTRIBUTIONS

TOTAL

PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

$331,531

$634,582

$966,113

LEVERAGE

$1:1.9

FLO

RID

A

ACCO

M

PLISH

M

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TS

Above: Completed 2023 PFW projects in Florida.

of Number

NUMBER

of Number

XX

XX

UPLAND

ACRES

WETLAND

ACRES

One of three designated low water crossings fortified during the project to permit cattle accessing water during the summer and accommodate rotational grazing practices on pastures occurring on both sides of Holly Creek. Photo taken by Joseph Kirsch/USFWS

Cattle accessing the degraded riparian buffer, before restoration, Photo taken by Joseph Kirsch/USFWS .

Community volunteers hammering in Black Willow and Silky Dogwood livestakes into an eroding streambank along Holly Creek to accelerate stabilization on 1Feb2023. Photo taken by Stephen Bontekoe/Limestone Valley Resources Conservation and Development Council

PROJECT

HIGHLIGHT:

Holly Creek Restoration

PFW in Georgia worked with the Limestone Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council, Coosa River Basin Initiative, and Georgia Environmental Protection Division to assist a cattle ranch with protecting and enhancing a one-mile segment of Holly Creek within the Conasauga River watershed, which is an aquatic biodiversity hotspot.

Prior to this collaboration, cattle were allowed to freely access Holly Creek and its riparian areas for water and food, which degraded aquatic habitat by damaging streambanks, removing vegetation, compacting soils, and introducing nutrients to the stream. During the summer of

2022, approximately 10,562 linear feet of electric wire fencing was installed to exclude cattle from within, on average, 50 feet of Holly Creek.

In addition, three existing low water crossings were further fortified to allow cattle to access water during the summer and pastures on both sides of Holly Creek under a rotational grazing regime. Over 12,000 locally sourced native bare-root woody trees and shrubs, and 800 grass and forb plugs were planted during January 2023 within the cattle exclusion area to “beef up” the now protected 11.3-acre riparian corridor. To ensure community involvement, volunteers also planted approximately 2,000 woody livestakes along the stream edges to accelerate bank stabilization.

Overall, this work will benefit seven listed aquatic species (Blue Shiner, Trispot Darter, Finelined Pocketbook, Alabama Moccasinshell, Coosa Moccasinshell, Southern Pigtoe, and Triangular Kidneyshell), two at-risk aquatic species (Alabama Rainbow and Coosa Creekshell), and improve over 0.4 miles of designated critical habitat occurring in Holly Creek.

1,753

27.15

PFW PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

PARTNER

CONTRIBUTIONS

TOTAL

PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

$216,761

$474,365

$691,126

LEVERAGE

$1:2.2

G

EO

RG

IA

ACCO

M

PLISH

M

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GEORGIA

Above: Completed 2023 PFW projects in Georgia.

of Number

NUMBER

of Number

XX

XX

UPLAND

ACRES

WETLAND

ACRES

HAWAII

Left: The boundary fence of this project was sufficient to keep cattle out of the project, but not tall enough to exclude the invasive axis deer. Plastic mesh was used to add height to the existing fence to keep deer out of the project site. Photo Credit: Leeward Haleakalā Watershed Restoration Partnership

Right: Goats were used as site prep in this project before outplanting. On the left of the photo is a movable electric fence dividing the exclosure so goats could graze the area to the right in January 2021. Photo Credit: Leeward Haleakalā Watershed Restoration Partnership.

PROJECT

HIGHLIGHT:

Restoring Habitat for Rare Species at Kaupo Ranch

The mesic forests of leeward Haleakala contain a significant quantity of Hawaii’s endemic biodiversity. This area has been significantly depleted, with only 5-10% remaining.

This project focused on outplanting three endemic tree species: halapepe (Pleomele auwahiensis), ʻaiea (Nothocestrum latifolium) listed endangered, and koa (Acacia koa).

The outplantings helped to reestablish forest canopy and provide sources of nectar and pollen to support native forest birds, bats, and invertebrates.

Leeward Haleakala Watershed Restoration Partnership

(LHWRP) field staff collected seeds from native trees in the region, oversaw propagation, and outplanted the native seedlings across a 215-acre fenced unit. Incipient populations of priority invasive species within the restoration area, including Australian tree fern (Sphaeropteris cooperi), Christmas berry (Schinus terebinthifolius), silk oak (Grevillea robusta), and nonnative grasses such as kikuyu (Cenchrus clandestinus) were controlled.

Partners in the regional effort included the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Haleakala National Park (a Biosphere Reserve), Nuʻu Mauka Ranch, and Kipahulu Forest Reserve. LHWRP works with all partners to share resources, address regional issues such as invasive species, erosion, and fire, and implement restoration efforts such as seed collection and outplanting.

The public access trail to enter Haleakalā National Park traverses this site, offering the public a rare opportunity to experience restoration and observe the obvious distinction between pasture and invasive-species dominated ecosystems and native ecosystems. Volunteers and students were incorporated into the restoration efforts.

272.19

40.48

PFW PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

PARTNER

CONTRIBUTIONS

TOTAL

PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

$265,981

$666,012

$931,993

LEVERAGE

$1:2.5

H

AW

A

II ACCO

M

PLISH

M

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TS

Above: Completed 2023 PFW projects in Hawaii.

of Number

NUMBER

of Number

XX

XX

STREAM

AND RIVER

MILES

WETLAND

ACRES

FISH

PASSAGE

STRUCTURES

3.61

UPLAND

ACRES

41.73

IDAHO

In Spring 2022, 595 conifers (yellow mesh protectors) were planted adjacent to an established ponderosa pine forest. The following spring (2023), 710 native shrubs (blue tubes) were planted adjacent to forested habitat to provide structural diversity. Trees/shrubs combined provide a 3-acre buffer surrounding reconstructed prairie habitat. Photo Credit: Brittany Morlin / USFWS.

Photos showcasing native grass/forb seed mixes, to be broadcasted over bare spots to control invasives.

Desert parsley, penstemon, and Oregon sunshine are blooming Photos by Brittany Morlin / USFWS.

PROJECT

HIGHLIGHT:

Enhancing Biodiversity in the Palouse Prairie

Starting in 2018, a Latah County landowner started reconstruction efforts on LoSo Prairie to convert 8.9 acres of previously tilled hayfield (smooth brome) to a diverse mix of native grasses and forbs with a buffering perimeter of flowering native shrubs and trees. This effort will support expansion and reconnection of the few remaining Palouse Prairie remnants.

As part of a multi-year process, work has included removal of non-native weeds and planting native plants to increase cover, diversity and habitat for native pollinators, grassland songbirds, rare and endemic plants, and other wildlife within this endangered ecosystem. PFW has worked with NRCS and Latah SWCD for over a decade to protect and restore the Palouse Prairie.

As the diverse mix of native plants continue to establish throughout the site, there will be further opportunities to enhance and diversify the stand in areas where weed control effort leave gaps in plant coverage.

Creation of wildlife and pollinator habitat on the degraded hayfield will enhance the landowner’s previous efforts to improve the habitat value and diversity of the nearby hay field and forestland completed in partnership with NRCS EQIP and CSP, as well as the Latah Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 708.19

PFW PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

PARTNER

CONTRIBUTIONS

TOTAL

PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

$170,585

$1.57M

$1.74M

LEVERAGE

$1:9.2

ID

A

H O

ACCO

M

PLISH

M

EN

TS

Above: Completed 2023 PFW projects in Idaho.

of Number

NUMBER

of Number

XX

XX

WETLAND

ACRES

UPLAND

ACRES

ILLINOIS

Aerial view of wetland restoration site. © Jean McGuire (Outreach Specialist for The Wetland Initiative).

Restored prairie habitat (top left), voluntary conservation crew (top right), demonstration of restoration site (bottom left), volunteers at the workshop. ©USFWS.

PROJECT

HIGHLIGHT:

Smart Wetland Workshop

This property was recently purchased by a young, first time landowner intent on converting old pasture to wetland and native prairie habitat and using that platform to educate neighboring landowners through a series of workshops.

Work consisted of planting 11 acres of prairie habitat with a diverse forb mix for pollinators and monarchs, upland wildlife, and nesting waterfowl.

Benefits to grassland birds include improved nesting and brood rearing cover and increased foraging opportunities based on the diverse seed mix.

This also represents a diverse partnership between Ducks

221.98

PFW PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

PARTNER

CONTRIBUTIONS

TOTAL

PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

$27,246

$532,801

$560,047

LEVERAGE

$1:19

Unlimited, NAWCA, Pheasants Forever, Illinois DNR, the Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association, and The Wetland Initiative.

The PFW biologist’s role was to coordinate the prairie planting, design the seed mix, work with local contractors to oversee work, and provide cost-share. The restored wetland is an example of a “smart” wetland, which TWI pioneered, that is focused on removing runoff in agricultural landscapes that contributes to hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. So far, at least 200 people have attended a pair of workshops on the property.

ILLIN

O

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M

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Above: Completed 2023 PFW projects in Illinois.

of Number

NUMBER

of Number

XX

XX

WETLAND

ACRES

FISH

PASSAGE

STRUCTURE

UPLAND

ACRES

INDIANA

Restoration at project site with heavy equipment. Inset: restored wetland habitat. ©USFWS.

PFW biologist Scott Fetters with project partnership signage. ©USFWS.

PROJECT

HIGHLIGHT:

Diamonds Park Restoration

This project restored 4.5 acres of wetland habitat and 21 acres of adjacent prairie at Hidden Diamonds Park, owned by the Town of Albion in Noble County, IN. It will provide wetland and upland nesting habitat for Mallards, Blue-winged teal, Wood ducks, American woodcock and a host of other migratory bird species as well as reptiles and amphibians.

The project included restoring two pothole wetlands with earthen dams, overflow pipes, anti-seep collars, rip-rap outlet protection, emergency spillways, and drainage tile to maintain upstream drainage and restore hydrology to the wetlands.

The property is located within the Glacial Wetlands and Grasslands Focus Area of the Indiana Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.

This project was completed through the Northeast Indiana Wetland and Grassland Restoration Project, a cooperative partnership between PFW, Ducks Unlimited, and the Indiana DNR to restore wetland and grassland habitats on private lands in northeast Indiana.

The PFW biologist surveyed and designed the wetlands and coordinated with the landowner and partners. Several funding sources, including PFW, NAWCA, Ducks Unlimited, Indiana DNR, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and the Town of Albion, combined to make this a wonderful example of a project that could not have happened with PFW alone. The restored prairie will provide habitat for nesting waterfowl, grassland birds, pollinators and monarchs, and is already being used for educational opportunities, hiking, birdwatching, and quiet relaxation.

PFW PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

PARTNER

CONTRIBUTIONS

TOTAL

PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

$102,813

$418,722

$521,535

LEVERAGE

$1:4

IN

D

IA

N

A

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M

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M

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TS

Above: Completed 2023 PFW projects in Indiana.

of Number

NUMBER

of Number

XX

XX

WETLAND

ACRES

UPLAND

ACRES

IOWA

Restoration team at the project site. ©USFWS.

Top left: biologists monitoring the restored prairie habitat.

Bottom left: applying prescribed fire at the project site.

Right: Rusty Patched Bublebee.

©USFWS

PROJECT

HIGHLIGHT:

Native Prairie Restoration

This project enhanced 51.2 acres of high-quality, diverse native prairie on private land located in Jackson County, Iowa.

This project reset grassland community succession, enhanced a non-native, cool-season grass dominated prairie, and created more biodiversity for pollinators, migratory birds, and resident wildlife.

The enhancement directly benefits the monarch butterfly and the Federally endangered rusty-patched bumblebee.

Additionally, this project is in a watershed flowing into the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.

This project, located within the Iowa PFW Program’s Driftless

Area Focus Area and a Rusty Patched Bumblebee High Potential Zone, leveraged resources from partner organizations such as Practical Farmers of Iowa, the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Climate Adaptation Fund Grant, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the private landowner, and NWRS staff to complete the enhancements with significant cost-savings to the Service and private landowner.

PFW PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

PARTNER

CONTRIBUTIONS

TOTAL

PROJECT

INVESTMENTS

$116,493

$483,707

$600,200

LEVERAGE

$1:4.2

IO

W

A

ACCO

M

PLISH

M

EN

TS

Above: Completed 2023 PFW projects in Iowa.

of Number

NUMBER

of Number

XX

XX

STREAM

AND RIVER

MILES

WETLAND

ACRES

UPLAND

ACRES

1,025

KANSAS

Before (top) and after restoration (below). © USFWS.

Cattle grazing on restored project site. © USFWS.

PROJECT

HIGHLIGHT:

Lesser Prairie-Chicken and Monarch Habitat Restoration

Partners contributing to this project in Barber County, KS include the KGLC, NFWF, private ranchers, KDWP, Gyp Hills Prescribed Burn Association, DU and PFW in Kansas.

This project improved habitat conditions for grassland-dependent and aquatic wildlife species while benefiting working agricultural lands and surrounding communities through increased livestock forage, water quantity, soil health, economic growth, wildlife and plant diversity and reduced risk of catastrophic wildfire. This project falls within the Kansas Southwest Prairies and Playas Focus Area.

The 2,000 acre project site is dominated by native mixed-grass prairie managed for livestock production and is within a region of continental significance for grassland bird conservation and a high production area for Monarch butterfly and other pollinators, providing breeding and migrating habitat. Resource concerns included range condition, woody residue from Anderson Creek wildfire, live tree encroachment, soil erosion, lack of livestock water and interior fence condition. The project connects to an existing project that included mechanical tree control, prescribed fire and excellent grazing management to benefit the range condition.

This ranch has become a core grassland area free of redcedar and other invasive trees, setting an example for other land managers.

The Landowner is a community leader, dedicating time to serve as president of Prescribed Burn Associations and a board member on state and regional grazing organizations. This project benefits cattle production and grassland wildlife species, such as lesser prairie-chicken, grasshopper sparrow, upland sandpiper, northern bobwhite and monarch butterfly.

Restoration practices included mechanical tree removal, firebreak establishment,…