2010 North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant awards for PCJV Partners

NAWCA Standard grants

Photo courtesy Jeff McCreary

Redwood Coast Wetlands Project will benefit irreplaceable bird habitat
Humboldt and Del Norte counties, California
$1,000,000 to Ducks Unlimited, Inc. ($2,000,000 match)

"Behind the Redwood Curtain is an amazing, little known area that is highly important for waterfowl. Humboldt and Del Norte Counties have seen many important wetland areas become degraded or lost. This project will help bring back some of what has been lost."
    - Jeff McCreary, Ducks Unlimited biologist

This project will increase the acreage and diversity of wetland types available for migration, nesting, and wintering wetland dependent birds; improve the quality of existing wetlands; and encourage community involvement in habitat restoration and enhancement. Nearly the entire global population of Aleutian cackling Canada geese and 60% of the Pacific Flyway population of migrating Pacific black brant stage in the area.

Specific projects will:

• restore tidal estuarine wetlands along the Salt River in the Eel River estuary
• restore 2,600 feet of riparian habitat on Salmon Creek on the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge
• install and replacing fencing to control grazing on the California Department of Fish and Game's Lake Earl Wildlife Area
• eradicate dwarf eelgrass from shallow mudflats and native eelgrass beds within Humboldt Bay and Eel River delta
• restore estuarine wetlands by eradicating invasive cordgrass on the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge
• restore coastal dune ecosystems through removal of invasive plant species

Contact: Jeff McCreary, Ducks Unlimited, Inc. jmccreary@ducks.org

Partners: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Ducks Unlimited, Inc.; Alexandre Family EcoDairy Farms; California Department of Fish and Game; California State Coastal Conservancy; California Wildlife Conservation Board; Del Norte Resource Conservation District; Friends of the Dunes; Humboldt County; Humboldt County Resource Conservation District; Nehalem Marine Manufacturing; National Fish and Wildlife Foundation; Palmer Westbrook, Inc.; Private Landowner; Tedson and Son Dairy; Wetherell Ranch, Inc.

NAWCA Small Grants

Photo courtesy City of Eureka

PALCO Marsh Enhancement—a rare opportunity for Humboldt Bay
Humboldt County, California
$75,000 to City of Eureka ($150,000 match)

"This project offers a rare opportunity to enhance highly productive tidally influenced marsh habitat in one of the largest cities along California's north coast."
    - Sharon Kahara, northern California PCJV Coordinator

The project will enhance 39 acres of coastal wetlands in PALCO Marsh. This tidal marsh in Humboldt Bay is used by over 90 bird species, including nesting mallards and migrating northern pintail. As California's second largest natural bay, Humboldt Bay is a complex estuarine ecosystem that annually supports one of the largest assemblages of wintering and migrating shorebirds and waterfowl on the Pacific Coast. The project will increase the marsh's tidal exchange with Humboldt Bay by replacing and cleaning culverts and dredging a sediment-filled tidal channel. Partners will also plant riparian trees along boundaries between marsh and adjacent streets.

Contact: Lisa D. Shikany, lshikany@ci.eureka.ca.gov

Partners: California Coastal Conservancy; Simpson Timber Company; North Coast Resource Center.

Photo courtesy US Fish and Wildlife Service

South Yamhill River-Turner Bottoms Wetland Restoration & Enhancement Project leverages conservation investments
Yamhill and Marion counties, Oregon
$75,000 to Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation District ($170,000 match)

"This partnership with the local conservation districts and private landowners will leverage past federal and state investments in habitat restoration on these highly productive bottomland sites to benefit a broader range of species," says Bruce Taylor, "From a biodiversity conservation standpoint, it takes some very good restoration projects and makes them a whole lot stronger."
    - Bruce Taylor, Oregon PCJV Coordinator

Numerous species of wetland dependent fish, wildlife, and plants historically occurred in great abundance on the diverse native wetland plant communities within Oregon's Willamette Valley. The South Yamhill River–Turner Bottoms Wetland Restoration and Enhancement Project is part of a larger effort to reverse habitat loss in the valley by restoring 191 acres of high quality native permanent and seasonal wetland, wetland prairie grassland, and riparian habitats. In addition, the project partners will enhance 34 acres of severely degraded remnant wetland habitats located on the project sites.

Contact: Tim Stieber, tim.stieber@or.nacdnet.net

Partners: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife; private individuals; Marion Soil and Water Conservation District; Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation District; Natural Resources Conservation Service; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office; Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

Photo courtesy Whidbey-Camano Land Trust

Deer Lagoon Wetlands links diverse habitat types
Island County, Washington
$75,000 to Whidbey-Camano Land Trust ($75,000 match)

"Deer Lagoon is the most extensive estuarine marsh on Whidbey Island. The diversity of the area provides an important ecosystem that will be protected thanks to the dedication and partnership of private landowners, Whidbey-Camano Land Trust, Island County, and state and federal agencies."
    - Lora Leschner, Washington PCJV Coordinator

Whidbey-Camano Land Trust will acquire a permanent conservation easement on 31 acres of tidal lagoon and diked wetlands at Deer Lagoon, on the southwest end of Whidbey Island. Deer Lagoon is home to more than 170 bird species, including 31 species of waterfowl, 21 shorebird species and 62 species of songbirds. The property to be acquired is a mosaic of freshwater wetlands, historic fields, trees and shrubs, and shallow open water, and contains estuarine open water and tidal mudflats. Preserving a connection between the Deer Lagoon wetlands and open agricultural fields adjacent is a key component to protecting the entire ecosystem.

Contact: Chris Hilton, chris@wclt.org

Photo courtesy Whatcom Land Trust

Samish River Riparian and Wetland Protection, Phase II builds on prior efforts
Whatcom County, Washington
$75,000 to Whatcom Land Trust ($166,000 match)

"This project protects wetlands that are the headwaters of the Samish River and contributes to the biodiversity of the entire watershed. Whatcom Land Trust is restoring water quality and wildlife habitat by protecting riparian forests, and restoring wetland functions to areas converted to wet pastures ."
    - Lora Leschner, Washington PCJV coordinator

This project builds on prior successes in the Samish basin by providing perpetual protection to significant freshwater wetland complexes that help protect water quality and habitat conditions in Samish Bay.  Whatcom Land Trust will expand its existing Samish River Preserve by acquiring full fee title to 65 acres along the river. The acquisition will protect fresh water wetland and riparian habitats that support migratory and resident birds, waterfowl, fish, and wildlife.

Contact: Eric Carabba, eric@whatcomlandtrust.org.

Partners: Alpine Meadows Tree Farm LLC; Whatcom County.