The Pennsylvania Game Commission and Ducks Unlimited have partnered to improve 1,600 acres of wetland habitats on 61 state game lands across Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Wetland Habitat Initiative is a $6 million investment that aims to replace water control structures and improve existing spillways and levees over the next three years at sites in 31 counties throughout each of the Game Commission’s six regions.

“This is the largest conservation initiative Ducks Unlimited has ever been involved with in Pennsylvania, and we are excited to work with the Game Commission to improve wetland habitat statewide,” said Ducks Unlimited Regional Biologist Jim Feaga.

Because of dilapidated infrastructure, the management of wetlands on state game lands has been an ongoing challenge. For decades, outdated pipes, boards, and damaged dikes have limited site managers’ ability to maintain wetland impoundments properly.

The Habitat Initiative will inject new life into Pennsylvania’s wetlands, improving wildlife habitat, water quality, and flood control.

“The effort seeks to restore habitats to benefit several species of waterfowl, shorebirds, secretive marsh birds, water birds and other wetland-dependent wildlife,” said Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans. “In an effort to ensure all managed wetlands are functioning as intended, the agency committed $6 million in federal funds to begin updating infrastructure over the next three years. The enhancements will include repairing dikes and berms, replacing boards and more.”

The ability to manipulate water levels is paramount in creating healthy wetlands and duck habitat. Timely spring drawdowns allow natural vegetation to grow, so that when water is added in the fall, migrating waterfowl and other water-bird species can feast on the seeds and tubers of native plants, such as smartweed, sago pondweed, and coontail, plus the invertebrates that inhabit these food sources and associated mud flats.

To learn more about the Pennsylvania Wildlife Habitat Initiative go to www.pgc.pa.gov.

Plants like cattails also offer a place for birds to refuge, rest, and protect themselves from wind and rain during inclement weather.

To replenish the state’s wetlands, new water control structures will be put in place. Dikes and spillways will be repaired, as will the boards that regulate wetland water levels.

To learn more about the Pennsylvania Wildlife Habitat Initiative go to www.pgc.pa.gov.