Michigan Wetland Management District

Wetland management districts use a wide range of land management tools based on the best science available. Some districts use prescribed fires to mimic natural fires that would have cleared old vegetation from the land helping native plants regenerate and local wildlife to thrive. The management tools used are aimed at ensuring a balanced conservation approach where both wildlife and people will benefit. At this field station our conservation toolbox includes:

Prescribed Fire, Haying, Mowing and Herbicide Treatments

The grasses and wildflowers of the waterfowl production areas provide cover and access to food for nesting mallards and other grassland birds. There has to be enough open space at the ground level to allow young flightless birds to forage for insects while avoiding predators. In Michigan, woody and invasive plant encroachment is the biggest threat to our grasslands. Without management, many of our grasslands would become shrub lands and eventually woodlands. We provide periodic disturbance to the grasses and wildflowers by burning, mowing or applying herbicides. This prevents the grasslands from becoming too thick and controls the invasion of woody plants. Wetlands on the areas have been managed to increase water levels and improve vegetative plant cover. The wetlands offer excellent habitat for raising ducklings and goslings.

Invasive Species Management

The waterfowl production areas are routinely surveyed for invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species like phragmites, glossy buckthorn and autumn olive. If present, these plants are treated by mowing, hand cutting and herbicide treatments. Prescribed burning also helps control some invasive species.

Planting Native Grass and Wildflowers

When new lands are acquired for the wetland management district wetland management district
A wetland management district is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office that manages waterfowl production areas in one or more counties. Waterfowl production areas are small natural wetlands and grasslands that provide breeding, resting and nesting habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, grassland birds and other wildlife. The Fish and Wildlife Service acquires waterfowl production areas under the authority of the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act, primarily using funds from the sale of Federal Duck Stamps. The Refuge System’s 38 wetland management districts comprise thousands of waterfowl production areas – almost all in the Prairie Pothole Region of the Northern Great Plains.

Learn more about wetland management district they are often in agriculture production or fallow/idle fields. Because most, if not all, native plants have been removed for agriculture production they need to be re-planted. Wildlife managers select appropriate native seeds and begin the process of re-establishing the native plant and wetland communities that once occurred on these lands.

People Management

Every activity that people can participate in on the district has to be determined compatible with the reason the district was founded. We try to strike a balance between human users and undisturbed habitat for wildlife. Please help us keep these areas clean by taking trash with you.