Ducks Unlimited (DU) and numerous partners protected, enhanced or restored 369 acres of wetland and grassland habitat on five New York project sites in 2020, greatly improving water quality and wildlife habitat.
The milestones in 2020 were achieved with field staff taking extra precautions and using creative solutions to the COVID-19 pandemic. The acres conserved added to a sizeable historical investment in New York. Over the last 30 years, Ducks Unlimited has conserved nearly 57,000 wetland and grassland acres across the state, investing more than $41 million in wetland habitats.
Partners included the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; Audubon; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Cargill and North American Wetlands Conservation Act grants.
“More than 60% of New York’s wetlands have been lost due to human development,” said Ed Farley, DU regional biologist for Wisconsin. “Our landscape-level conservation efforts help more than ducks. Wetlands benefit local residents by reducing flooding risk, improving water quality and boosting the economy.”
Highlights from 2020 include:
Monroe County – The 191-acre Cranberry Pond is a Lake Ontario coastal marsh that’s vital to the semi-annual migrations of waterfowl and other birds of the Atlantic Flyway. The marsh has been degraded by cattails, and Ducks Unlimited and the New York Audubon Society will improve habitat by improving channels and potholes. In addition to providing quality staging areas for birds, the enhanced marsh will be important to human recreation. Located near the urban center of Rochester, Cranberry Pond will be an inviting location for hunting, kayaking and birding.
For a complete report of 2020 activities and a look into what’s planned for 2021 and beyond, see the New York’s Conservation Report and visit http://www.ducks.org/new-york
For more information on the work of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. visit www.ducks.org.
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