Wetland Restoration and Cooperative Conservation Celebrated - Earth Day 2005

The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California recognized Earth Day this year by celebrating the President’s wetlands initiative and cooperative conservation on private lands. USDA Under Secretary Mark Rey joined NRCS employees, local conservation partners and landowners at a restored WRP site in Yolo County for the celebration.

Nationally, NRCS Earth Day events focused on the success of President Bush’s wetland initiative. On Earth Day 2004, President Bush set an aggressive goal that goes beyond the federal policy of “no net loss” of wetlands, to improve, restore and protect three million acres of wetlands in five years. Over the past year, roughly 850,000 acres of wetlands have been restored, created, protected and improved, resulting in cleaner air and water, healthier soil and improved fish and wildlife habitat.

"In California producers have stepped up to the plate to show their willingness to participate in conservation programs and to improve natural resources and the environment," said Ed Burton, Acting NRCS State Conservationist in California.

Since 1992 approximately 91,000 acres of land in California have been enrolled in wetland easements and restoration through WRP. Of those, 77,000 acres are protected through perpetual easements. One hundred percent of restoration projects provide some benefit to threatened and endangered species, such as the Swainson’s Hawk, Giant Garter Snake and the Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle.

Many of NRCS’ conservation partners participated in the Earth Day event -- California Waterfowl Association, Audubon California, Ducks Unlimited, CA Department of Food and Agriculture, Department of Conservation, and CARCD. Each partner was recognized for their contribution towards cooperative conservation.

"Partnerships make a huge contribution toward the increase in conservation in California," said Burton. "This past year over $53 million in Farm Bill funds were leveraged for erosion control, water supply, water quality, air quality and habitat improvement."

High school students from the Student Landowner Education and Watershed Stewardship Program (SLEWS) also participated in the event, installing bluebird houses and wood duck boxes.

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