Conservation in Kansas
Kansas is a state of great opportunity for wetlands, wildlife, and the people who benefit from these important resources. However, Kansas has lost almost half of its original wetlands. Only 435,000 of the state's original 840,000 acres remain, and most of those acres are privately owned. Kansas ranks 49th in the nation in the amount of publicly-owned land, with only 2% of the Sunflower State available for all to enjoy. Kansas has great opportunities to increase lands in public ownership, and restore them to wetlands and other wildlife habitat for the citizens of the Sunflower State.
Ducks Unlimited, Inc. and the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks have a long history of conservation success in land acquisition and wetlands restoration. Today, we have an opportunity to further our cause with important wetland projects throughout the Sunflower State. We ask you, as a steward of the land and its wildlife resources, to help us meet these grand opportunities to protect and restore wetlands for years to come.
Kansas Habitat Projects
Jamestown Wildlife Area
PURPOSE: Improve wetlands and adjacent upland areas to promote growth of seed producing wetland plants and native grasses preferred by waterfowl. Goals are to improve watershed hydrology and restore stream flow to Marsh Creek and subsequently to the Republican River. This will ensure sufficient water is available to meet the demands of the municipal area, agriculture irrigation and wildlife and fish populations. Another priority is to incorporate the numerous small marshes and oxbow lakes that exist along Marsh Creek into the Jamestown Wildlife Area. Waterfowl species that will benefit directly from the completion of this project include mallard, northern pintail, American wigeon, lesser scaup, redhead and canvasback...
Full Story
Cimarron National Grasslands
Teal Pond Enhancement
PURPOSE: To enhance 30 acres of moist-soil wetlands on Cimarron National Grasslands in southwest Kansas through installation of a water control structure and construction of earthen levee. This project provides valuable foraging habitat to migrating and wintering waterfowl along the South Fork Cimarron River, primarily benefiting mallards, pintails, gadwall, green-winged teal, shovelers, and American wigeon. The wetland project is managed by the USDA Forest Service to maintain high quality moist-soil wetlands for migrating and wintering waterfowl...
Full Story