$200,000 donation restores wetlands

Parks & Recreation, April, 2004

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) will help restore the McPherson Valley wetlands thanks to a grant from the Arthur Daniels Midland Company (ADM). The $200,000 donation was given in February to Ducks Unlimited, Inc., a private company that helps park and recreation departments restore wetlands without burdening their communities with tax increases.

"This grant from the company is a reflection of our commitment to safeguarding and improving the environment," said Brian Peterson, ADM senior vice president of corporate affairs. "ADM is pleased to take this step toward ensuring that generations to come will benefit from restoration of the McPherson wetlands."

The McPherson complex is one of Kansas' largest wetlands areas, providing a home to thousands of waterfowl, pheasant, quail, doves and wildlife. The wetlands also play an important role in water quality management, and in helping to prevent and contain flooding. Originally stretching more than 9,000 surface acres, this chain of 52 wetlands was seriously degraded through ditching, beginning around 1910. Prior to any restoration activity, fewer than 10 of the natural wetlands remained.

The KDWP began restoration of the McPherson wetlands in 1987. By purchasing lands from willing sellers, DU and KDWP have expanded the wetland base to 4,010 acres. Working closely with other conservation partners and area landowners, the ADM grant will enable DU and KDWP to pursue various restoration activities, including the maintenance and enhancement of existing wildlife habitat; the purchase of additional acreage from willing sellers; the replacement of antiquated equipment; the construction of roads allowing better access to the wetlands for hunters, naturalists and other visitors; the maintenance of dikes, ditches and water control structures; and the seeding of non-wetland acres with prairie grasses and other plants native to the region.