| Flyway Article – AKELEY SWAMP
 Akeley Swamp was recently selected as one of the top proposals for funding through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) - Small Grants Program.
Akeley Swamp is located on State Game Land 282, in Pine Grove Township, Warren County, Pennsylvania. In 1997, beavers that had historically maintained three dams at the outflows along the abandoned railroad grade moved out due to loss of adequate food sources. Currently the dams that were maintained by the beavers have degraded to a point that they no longer serve as impounding structures and as a result, the hydrology of the Akeley Swamp system has been severely degraded.
The purpose of this project is to restore hydrology to the 168 acres of degraded wetlands with the goal to provide management capabilities to manage the wetland for waterfowl, shorebirds and wetland dependent species of flora and fauna.
Restoration of the hydrology and management of Akeley Swamp will ensure that the critical habitat remains that has been historically important to migrating populations of Southern James Bay Canada Geese, Black Ducks, Mallards, Northern Pintails, Wood Ducks, and Widgeons. Additionally Blue and Green Winged Teal, Hooded Mergansers, Gadwall, and Shovelers that historically use this system will be ensured beneficial resting and stopover areas. Hydrology restoration at Akeley swamp will also ensure continued Black Duck, Wood Duck, Mallard, and Blue Winged Teal breeding at Akeley Swamp.
The partnership of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Warren County Council of Sportsman Clubs and Ducks Unlimited have been working diligently to make this proposed project become a reality. |