rainwater basin initiative - ducks unlimited

Rainwater Basin Initiative

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www.ducks.org/rainwaterbasin

Millions of ducks and geese descend upon this landscape

each spring, stopping to rest and feed during their annual

migration to the prairie pothole breeding areas. The

incredible concentration of birds that occurs here is indeed

awe inspiring, creating bird watching opportunities that are

truly rare in North America. Anyone who has witnessed

this spectacle will begin to understand, and appreciate, how

important the Rainwater Basin is to migratory birds.

However, timing is everything. This point was driven

home to me during a conversation with one of our neighbors.

While Tim Horst and I were inspecting some work on

DU’s Verona Tract, one of our neighbor farmers stopped

by to visit. I explained to him the Rainwater Basin provides

important spring migration habitat to millions of waterfowl.

He replied, “You will never have any birds here because you

will never have water in those areas.”

As he drove away, I was confused how this long-time

resident would not know about the millions of birds that

travel through the area each spring and fall. Tim provided the

answer. Our neighbor spends the winter in more favorable

climates and does not witness the migration spectacle

that occurs during the first two weeks in March. Also, like

many people, he associates waterfowl habitat with large,

permanent wetlands and lakes, not the shallow, temporarily

flooded wetlands that provide critical food resources during

migration periods. By the time Rainwater Basin farmers

return to the fields in the spring, many of these shallow

wetlands are already dry and their value to waterfowl is

largely unappreciated.

The abundant food like bugs, freshwater shrimp and seeds

from native vegetation that emerge in temporary wetlands

here are the reason millions of waterfowl stop here each

spring. The food resources help maintain and improve body

condition during the strenuous migration period, allowing

birds to arrive in the northern breeding habitats ready to lay

eggs and reproduce. It is upon this biological fact that DU has

built the Rainwater Basin Initiative. The program continues to

grow each year, restoring and protecting important waterfowl

habitat. I hope you enjoy reading our 2009 Annual Report.

steve donovan nebraskaMgr., conservation Programs

[email protected]

The rainwaTer Basin is a specTacular place

Rainwater Basin Initiative Accomplishments

To date

$ 2,713,291FY 09

AcresProtected

560

7,798

EnhancedRestored/Created

1,940

17,830

TechnicalAssistance

1,200

8,716 $10,215,808

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BioenergeTic model shows area haBiTaT lacking - A new scientific model has been developed to measure whether the bird habitat available in

Nebraska’s Rainwater Basin provides enough food to meet the needs of migrating waterfowl. The Rainwater Basin Joint Venture, of which Ducks Unlimited is a

member, has created a bioenergetic model that shows the area does not have enough habitat to feed the more than 12 million migratory waterfowl that use this

region each fall and spring. The high density of waterfowl and limited wetlands create intense competition for food resources.

Results of the model show the RWB needs to provide 24.1 billion kcals (kilo calories) of energy to meet the needs of migratory waterfowl. The abundant

waste grain in this region does provide some of this energy, but does not by itself satisfy the nutritional requirements of waterfowl because it lacks some

essential amino acids, inorganic elements, and vitamins. The RWBJV calculated that 39 percent

of the energy demands of waterfowl need to be provided by natural foods found in properly

functioning wetland habitats.

Migrating waterfowl traveling through the RWB acquire significant lipid and nutrient reserves.

These reserves not only provide fuel for the northward migration, but also significantly impact

reproductive success on the prairie breeding grounds. Research has shown hens arriving on the

breeding grounds in better condition nest earlier, produce larger clutches, and have a higher

propensity to re-nest. All of these behaviors have been tied to increased duck populations, which,

to duck hunters, means more ducks heading south in the fall.

The RWBJV estimates that properly feeding these birds during spring migration would take

37,000 acres of high quality wetland foraging habitat that is flooded on an annual basis. Only a

few more than 30,000 acres of wetlands remain in the RWB today, and many of these wetlands

are in poor condition. The model helps the Joint Venture partners develop habitat goals to make

up the difference. DU is working with the other partners in the RWBJV to implement a variety

of programs designed to meet this goal and ensure that the skies will be filled with ducks today,

tomorrow and forever.

sound science is Behind haBiTaT goals in The rainwaTer Basin

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chicago man’s children invesT in dad’s favoriTe hunTing spoT

Daniel Bryan Sr. would have been pleased that Ducks Unlimited shared his

vision. The long-time Chicago police officer and avid duck hunter traveled

twice a year to hunt Hanson Waterfowl Production Area and Mallard Haven

in Nebraska’s Rainwater Basin. Bryan and his sons had permission to hunt

from the Carey dike that ran east and west along the south border of the

Hanson Marsh. Dan often said, “It would be nice if one of the fish and game

departments came in and bought this other 320 acres (the Carey place) and

opened it up public hunting.”

DU last year bought the Carey tract, is restoring it now and plans to turn it

over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Having heard about the purchase,

Dan’s son, Jerry, contacted DU Nebraska Manager of Conservation Programs

Steve Donovan to congratulate him on the purchase and tell Steve about his

dad. Now, the Bryan family has made a major gift to DU in memory of their

father, who died in 2000, and to contribute to the restoration of the property.

“Our wives don’t quite understand why some of us will drive 10 hours,

then get up at 4 a.m. and go sit in a cold, wet marsh just to hunt ducks, but

there’s just something about being out there when the sun first kisses the sky.”

He says on opening day, he and his brothers are sometimes sitting in

blinds in different states waiting for the sun to come up, texting each other,

“Are you ready?”

“My older brother will let the morning’s first group of ducks fly through his

decoys in honor of my dad,” Jerry said.

The property was purchased with gifts from Major Sponsors of the

Rainwater Basin Initiative and a grant from the Nebraska Environmental

Trust. Restoration will include removing the levee that separates the two

properties, plugging drainage ditches to restore water flow to wetlands and

replanting the uplands to native grasses.

“Because the property lies adjacent to the Hansen WPA, this is one of

the most important wetland acquisition projects in the Rainwater Basin,”

Donovan said.

Dan’s son, Cliff, has fond memories of the two of them traveling for the 12-

hour drive to Nebraska. “My dad was always trying to catch the height of the

fall migration into the Rainwater Basin,” Cliff said. “We didn’t always hit it,

but we knew at least we were going to see ducks.”

Jerry says his father lived for duck season but was a realist. “If the ducks

had passed through or the basin froze up while we were there, he would pack

up and travel 12 hours back home,” he said. “It didn’t matter that we traveled

across the country to hunt with him.”

Dan hunted up until a year before cancer took him at 76. “The cairn at the

property that will carry his name seems so appropriate,” Jerry said.

“this gift is to honor the legacy my dad left us in his

passion for duck hunting. My brothers and i still try to

make the trip to nebraska each year to hunt some of my

dad’s old stomping grounds,” Jerry said.


Wagon wheel ruts from the Oregon Trail and buffalo wallows are still visible on a tract of Nebraska

land purchased by Ducks Unlimited. DU and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission restored the

115-acre Rainwater Basin property to the native grassland and wetland it had when settlers and

buffalo traveled there.

Using North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant dollars, DU split the purchase costs

with NGPC. DU restored a 35-acre wetland on the land with substantial contributions from DU

major sponsors, U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service Wetlands Reserve Program and

the Nebraska Environmental Trust. The property was transferred to NGPC, which restored the

grassland and made the land part of the Bluewing Wildlife Management Area.

“None of this would have been possible without the enthusiastic participation of the landowners,”

said Steve Donovan, manager of conservation programs for DU.

DU purchased the tract from Rose Mary and LaVern Shaw. The Shaws originally acquired the land

from long-time residents Mick and Millie Hoyt, Rose Mary’s parents.

“We really liked the proposal Ducks Unlimited presented to us,” Rose Mary Shaw said. “Knowing that the property would be

restored to wildlife habitat and protected forever was very appealing.”

Rose Mary and LaVern’s daughter, Lisa Hannah, has special memories of the property. “As a child, my grandfather used to take

me for walks on the property, showing me the old wagon wheel ruts from the Oregon Trail and buffalo wallows, which can still be

seen today,” Lisa said.

NGPC District Manager Bob Meduna says the parcel is a valuable addition to the WMA. “This property and its restored

wetlands and grasslands will provide excellent habitat for ducks, pheasants, quail and many other species of wildlife,” Meduna said.

The property will be open to a variety of public uses, including bird watching, hiking, hunting, and wildlife photography,

another aspect of the project that was appealing to the Shaw family. “It was important to us to know that we could continue to visit

the property, walk through the prairie and enjoy the wildflowers and wildlife,” Rose Mary Shaw said.

du and ngpc acquisiTion and resToraTion now open To migraTory waTerfowl – and hikers, hunTers and Bird-waTchers

Omaha World Herald Outdoors visits with

DU’s Steve Moran at the Bluewing WMA.

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Ducks Unlimited has completed habitat restoration work on the Dedrickson

property in Clay County. According to DU Engineering Technician David

Hoferer, DU restored a total of 65 acres of wetland habitat, providing

significant benefits to migrating waterfowl.

DU bought the property two years ago as part of its Revolving Habitat

Program. Under this program, DU acquires properties in the Rainwater

Basin that offer a significant opportunity to restore waterfowl habitat. DU

then restores the property, places a permanent conservation easement on

the tract, and ultimately sells the property to a conservation buyer. Proceeds

from the sale of the tract are then used to acquire additional habitat and

repeat the process.

The Dedrickson tract is located about three miles southeast of DU’s Verona

Complex. Restoration work included filling a large, excavated pit that had

originally been dug to drain a 45-acre marsh. Filling the pit with compacted

soil restores natural water flow to the former marsh. Additional sediment was

removed from the wetland and placed on an upland site.

Small levees were constructed to restore two additional wetlands. A

pipeline was installed to connect a well on the site to the two largest wetlands,

providing an additional source of water during dry periods.

DU Lands Manager Tim Horst has been using DU’s tractor, Big Red

(see photo), to disk the restored wetlands in order to manage the plant

community and promote a diverse mix of native and annual species that

produce the vast quantities of seed waterfowl need during migration. Tim

also disked the adjoining Green Acres Waterfowl Production Area to improve

its wetland plant community. Grass was planted on the former cropland areas

to restore native prairie.

DU is selling a

conservation easement on

the Dedrickson property to

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service, providing additional

revenue to the revolving

program and ensuring the

property will be protected in

perpetuity. During the time

DU owns the site, it will be

open to public hunting for

hunting seasons.

du gives migraTing ducks Three more rwB weTlands full of food

DU’s new tractor, Big Red, surrounded by its fans


Jim and Patty Donelan from Leshara, Nebraska are benefactor level

sponsors who found an opportunity to give to Ducks Unlimited in a way they

never could before, by using their IRA.

“It’s not complicated; the DU staff made this type of gift simple and easy

for us. I encourage people to talk to their tax advisors and explore their

giving options, and do it right away,” Jim said.

The Donelan’s gift was tax free and made possible by the Pension

Protection Act of 2006, which was extended through 2009. The Donelans

hold Nebraska’s wildlife and wildlife habitat in high esteem. The property

they now live on was owned by Jim’s parents when he was young. “I grew up

hunting on this property and would spend my summers and weekends here,”

he said.

The couple is now diligently working to restore the property’s wetlands

and grasslands on their own and with some guidance from DU staff. They

are taking special care of the land because they know that places like theirs

are disappearing in Nebraska. They want to make sure local wildlife and

migrating ducks and birds are provided for now and into the future.

When their two sons were young, Patty would watch as Jim took them on

adventures into the wetlands for early morning hunts. She became passionate

about waterfowl conservation and founded the DUGals ladies DU chapter

in Omaha. She served as chairwoman of the chapter for two years which

cemented her dedication to the ducks.

Today, Jim and Patty have five grandchildren with whom they now share

their love of the outdoors. Their gift to DU will infuse their legacy into

Nebraska’s wetlands and grasslands and ensure their great-grandchildren will

have places to hunt, fish and watch wildlife just as they have done throughout

their lives.

neBraska donors find an easy way To give To du and encourage oThers To do The same

(L to R): Jim Donelan, Patty Donelan and Clay Rogers.

DU board member

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american wigeon


The families and friends of Nebraska’s fallen heroes have a new place to remember their loved

ones through enjoying the habitat so important to many of these service men and women. The

Fallen Heroes Marsh memorial stands on DU’s Verona complex, a natural area that attracts

thousands of ducks each year as they migrate between wintering and breeding grounds.

The memorial honors Nebraska’s veterans who were killed or wounded in the wars in Iraq

and Afghanistan. Volunteers on the Fallen Heroes Marsh committee raised nearly $400,000

for this effort. These funds will be directed toward waterfowl and wetland conservation efforts

throughout Nebraska.

“The inspiration to memorialize the legacy of our fallen heroes and their individual

contributions to our country through wetlands conservation will serve generations of

Nebraskans just as the sacrifices that our heroes made will continue for generations. It seems

extremely fitting to honor their sacrifice this way,” said Kyle Hildebrand, DU volunteer and Iraq

War veteran.

The family of U.S. Army soldier Adam Herold inspired the marsh memorial efforts. They

wanted to honor his memory and the memory of all of Nebraska’s military killed or wounded

in the two wars. Adam was an avid waterfowl hunter and ardent DU supporter as are other

members of his family. Adam’s family felt strongly that conserving waterfowl habitat in

Nebraska would be the perfect way to honor his sacrifice for his country.

“The Herold family, along with many supporters and volunteers, have made this dream a

reality,” said Steve Wilson, regional director for DU. “We are honored that Adam’s family came

to us with this request.”

The Fallen Heroes Marsh will be a place where friends and families can come to hunt,

watch, photograph or simply listen to ducks and remember loved ones who dedicated their

lives to the United States.

Colonel Kevin Neumann, chief of staff for the Nebraska National Guard, (left) spoke at the

marsh dedication. He is an avid duck hunter and recently returned from Afghanistan.

DU Volunteer Kyle Hildebrand (middle) and DU Regional Director Steve Wilson

du volunTeers come TogeTher To honor neBraska’s fallen heroes

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major sponsors

Born and raised in Platte, South Dakota, Adam DeHaan appreciates life on the prairie. He grew up fishing for walleye, chasing pheasants

and waterfowl hunting. DeHaan has a biology degree and a masters in sport administration. He coached at four universities in the Great

Plains region, culminating in a four-year stint as the head basketball coach at Valley City State University in North Dakota.

A former regional director in eastern Nebraska, DeHaan moved to Memphis in 2007 to work as the manager of volunteer services. He

is excited to be back on the plains as a director of development for IA, MN and NE.

“Through major gifts and the Rainwater Basin Initiative, Nebraskans have a great opportunity to conserve traditional shallow water

lakes,” DeHaan said. “Not only do we have an opportunity to show future generations what this region historically looked like, restoring

and protecting habitat is important for waterfowl by providing critical nutritional needs during spring migration. I am excited to be a part

of such a great opportunity to work with motivated, caring people.”

Adam lives with wife Rebecca, children Jacob and Isabella, and dog Max in Lakeville, Minnesota.

dehaan joins rainwaTer Basin developmenT Team

parTners

diamond legacy sponsor($1 Million - $4.9 Million)

Neal C. HansenBruce R. LauritzenGeorge B. Storer Foundation Inc.

gold legacy sponsor($500,000 - $749,999)

Anonymous - Goldeneye

BenefacTor($100,000 - $249,999)

Howard & Rhonda HawksJames Stuart, Jr. & Susan Stuart Foundation

heriTage sponsor($50,000 - $74,999)

Dave Ellingson

diamond life sponsor($20,000 - $29,999)

Anonymous - WigeonLarry BakerThomas & Patricia Hastings

life sponsor($10,000 - $19,999)

Gale & Paula BeirowDennis & Lois BeranJohn H. Bergmeyer

donors

Clay Center Spring Wing DingFriends of the Rainwater BasinLittle Blue Natural Resources DistrictNebraska Environmental TrustNebraska Game and Parks CommissionNorth American Wetlands Conservation CouncilPheasants Forever, IncRainwater Basin Joint VentureThe Nature ConservancyTri-Basin Natural Resources District U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyU.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceU.S. Natural Resources Conservation ServiceUpper Big Blue Natural Resources District

Mike & Susan BlahaThomas L. BowenIn Memory Of Daniel E. Bryan, Sr.Jason & Sandra ChristiansenJoseph C. DowdingT. K. & Janel FooteDaniel J. Herold, M.D.James & Patty HillJohn HoggattTim & Rita HughesGeorge Landgren, M.D.Don & Stephanie LeedingChuck G. OlsenMichael & Diane SchroederGregg A. SilverbergFarm Land Irrigation, Inc.

We wish to recognize the following donors for their commitments and contributions to the Rainwater Basin Initiative during 2008 and 2009.


great Plains regional office

2525 RiveR Road • bismaRck, nd • 58503-9011

701.355.3500

www.ducks.org/rainwaterbasin rwb0109

This is a time of recovery. The economy is beginning to recover and so is Nebraska’s Rainwater Basin. Ducks Unlimited is

working tirelessly to restore some of the thousands of wetlands that once dotted this landscape. Also, we’re protecting this

new habitat so it doesn’t go away again.

Your support for DU’s Rainwater Basin Initiative is what keeps us getting up each day and working to provide the

waterfowl habitat we know is needed to feed the millions of birds going through the basins each spring and fall.

As you have read in this publication, we have a long way to go to meet the needs of waterfowl and other birds that depend

on this area for resting and refueling. We know you’ll be there walking the walk and talking the talk and supporting DU

along the way to recovery.

Major Supporters make the difference in DU meeting its goals in Nebraska. Your gifts are the glue that keeps the

Rainwater Basin Initiative together and working for the continent’s waterfowl. To discuss your opportunities to help, please

contact Ron Stromstad or Adam DeHaan.

recovery

ron stromstad (mn/ia/ne )

sr. director of development

952-236-0638

[email protected]

adam dehaan (mn/ia/ne)

director of development

763-688-0519

[email protected]

rainwater basin initiative - ducks unlimited

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