Louisiana Ducks Unlimited, Inc.
Conservation Programs Annual Report
Fiscal Year 2005
Ducks Unlimited’s wetland conservation program continues to grow and gain popularity. We are finding and responding to excellent opportunities for wetland conservation throughout Louisiana on both private and public lands. Our habitat conservation priorities continue to be the protection, restoration and enhancement of forested wetlands, natural moist soil vegetation, coastal wetlands, and flooded agricultural crops, with emphasis on rice. Collectively these programs have benefited in the development and protection of over 200,000 acres of various wetland habitats since conservation activities began for Louisiana with the MARSH program in 1985.
The following is a summary of the activities and accomplishments of the DU Louisiana Conservation Program for the period July 2004 through June 2005.
MARSH (Matching Aid to Restore States Habitat)
To date there are 33 completed projects that have protected or improved over 48,065 wetland acres on public lands in Louisiana. Funding for the recently completed freshwater diversion impacting over 1,300 acres of marsh habitat on Pass-a-Loutre WMA is now finalized. The Catahoula Lake Vegetative Imagery Survey (Project RECLAIM), which combined satellite data and vegetative transect information, was completed. Now information gathered by this effort can be used as a management tool for treating woody vegetation negatively impacting the growth of waterfowl food plants associated with the 30,000 acre system. Public land wetland development opportunities are still being considered for Boeuf River, Grassy Lake, and Bayou Macon WMA(s). Additional projects are submitted yearly to the Conservation Committee. Informational requests on MARSH should be referred to Robbie Howard, Regional Biologist, in Monroe, LA (318-340-1020), Chad Courville, Regional Biologist, in Lafayette, LA (337-291-3068), or Hugh Bateman, Manager of Conservation Programs, Monroe, LA (318-340-1020).
Louisiana Waterfowl Project/North
In North Louisiana 798 acres of private land were enrolled under multi-year management agreements for protection, restoration, or enhancement of hydrology on forested wetlands, moist soil sites, or croplands. Of these, 219 acres were non-agricultural sites and were associated with forested wetlands and moist soil habitats. Two wetland workshop “field days” were held, allowing those attending to view management techniques applied to a variety of habitats such as green tree reservoirs, sloughs, and cypress/tupelo brakes. Additionally, monies secured from a North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) Grant provided funding to expand public waterfowl hunting on 905 acres of Grand Cote NWR, specifically sites associated with the expansion of youth waterfowl hunting opportunities. Also, three individuals funded turnkey wetland habitat developments on their property, showcasing a method DU can use to expand its delivery of habitat work within the private sector. Technical assistance was provided on 28,479 acres of private lands during FY05. Waterfowl Project inquiries should be forwarded to Regional Biologists, Nick Smith or Robbie Howard, in Monroe, LA (318-340-1020).
Louisiana Waterfowl Project/South
This program, which was initiated in September 1999, targets the south Louisiana rice-growing region, as well as the coastal marshes. Slightly over 4,000 acres of habitat were restored and/or enhanced in South Louisiana through this program. Of these, 2,924 acres were non-agricultural sites primarily associated with coastal marsh restoration. In addition, technical assistance was provided on 27,406 acres for landowners seeking advice on improving the waterfowl habitat value of their property. Additionally, two NAWCA Grants targeting terraces and levee/water control structure improvements at several coastal locations in Cameron and Vermillion parishes were either completed or are nearing completion. NAWCA grants have also allowed construction to begin on Pointe-Aux-Chenes WMA and Avoca Island Duck Club. The Oyster Bayou NAWCA grant targeting marsh restoration in Cameron Parish is approaching the signatory phase with construction planned for FY06. In total, DU is currently administering five NAWCA Grants specifically targeting improving the foraging needs of waterfowl along the coast. Also, two additional NAWCA grants are pending, Louisiana Coastal Wetlands (LCW) lll has been recommended for funding by the NAWCA Council and a terracing proposal for southeast LA is in its final stages of preparation for submittal. Waterfowl habitat-related inquiries should be forwarded to Regional Biologists Chad Courville (337-291-3068) or Bob Dew, in Lafayette, LA (337-291-3065).
LA Wetland Reserve Program
This program, which is administered by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), represents opportunities for DU to be involved in the restoration of bottomland hardwood ecosystems previously altered by agricultural development. DU and NRCS biologists and engineers share ideas as they restore hydrologic features to newly established bottomland hardwood forests. Over 8,000 acres of bottomland hardwood forests were restored, and approximately 2,500 acres of functional wetlands were added to the delta landscape through this program in FY04. For the fifth consecutive year, a substantial amount of marginal agriculture land in Louisiana was restored to wetlands and wildlife habitat through the NRCS/DU partnership. Regional Biologists Nick Smith and Robbie Howard, and Regional Engineer Quin Durbin, P.E., coordinate DU efforts on WRP sites in Louisiana. They can be contacted in Monroe, LA (318-340-1020).
Louisiana Conservation Easements
Louisiana obtained its first conservation easement in 2000. Collectively, easements perpetually protect approximately 17,500 acres of bottomland hardwood forests and associated wetlands in the delta parishes of Tensas, Franklin, Concordia, Catahoula, LaSalle and Grant. These easements offer key linkages to state, federal and privately owned properties supporting habitat critical to the well-being of black bear and neotropical migrants, as well as resident and migrant waterfowl populations. Easement opportunities continue to expand throughout the state as both delta and coastal landowners become more aware of how to use this program as a means to protect the conservation value of their property. Currently several additional easement opportunities supporting wetlands critical to the well-being of continental waterfowl populations are being negotiated for acceptance. One easement of 490 acres was accepted into the program in FY05. Contacts concerning the Conservation Easement Program should be forwarded to Jimmy Emfinger, Manager of Land Protection, at the Southern Regional office in Jackson, MS (601-206-5434).
WETLAND ACRES PROTECTED, ENHANCED, OR RESTORED IN FY05
MARSH - 1,300 acres
LWP/North - 798 acres
LWP/South - 4,167 acres
LA WRP - 10,857 acres
Easements - 490 acres
Terraces - 1,356 acres
Chenier Plain – 378 acres
Grand Cote – 905 acres
Grassy Lake – 250 acres
Total = 20,501 acres
Louisiana Habitat Projects
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