As part of our ambitious plan to restoral priority coastal regions in the Great Lakes, Audubon is working with partners on the start of construction on a wetland enhancement project in the Lakeview Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Jefferson County, NY. Across the 3,461-acre WMA, wildlife habitat has been increasingly overtaken by dense cattails and other invasive species. By “channeling and potholing,” Audubon and our partners are improving the WMA’s hydrology and habitat connectivity to benefit fish, birds, and other marsh-dependent species. Monitoring birds, fish, water levels, and vegetation will begin this spring to evaluate the newly improved habitats function.
Andy Hinickle, Senior Manager of Wetland Conservation for Audubon Great Lakes said, "Audubon is excited to see this outstanding and collaborative habitat improvement project get underway. Marsh-dependent birds like the Pied-billed Grebe and Sora, as well as fish and other wildlife, have lost the places they need to feed, nest, and spawn. Construction will create the conditions they need to return and thrive long-term. It's an incredible investment in Western New York." |
