Sound CARE Project Portfolio

Transcription

1 Sound CARE Project Portfolio

2 Ducks Unlimited and Sound CARE Sound CARE is a comprehensive initiative designed to restore, enhance, and protect wetland habitat to benefit waterfowl, other wetland-dependent species, and people. CARE is an acronym for Conservation of Agriculture, Resources, and the Environment. Continued loss of wetland habitat within the state and the importance of the breeding grounds to waterfowl that winter in North Carolina are the key factors behind Sound CARE. The goal of Sound CARE is to protect, restore, and enhance 64,000 acres during the next five years at a cost of $22 million. In North Carolina, a minimum of 22,000 acres will be conserved through restoration and enhancement projects on public and private lands, conservation easements, and land acquisition while the remaining 42,000 acres will be conserved on the breeding grounds. The North American Waterfowl Management Plan and Ducks Unlimited s Conservation Plan incorporate the use of partnerships to fulfill the mission of protecting and restoring wetlands habitat. As a partner, you can help conserve wetland habitat for wildlife. Your financial gift will be leveraged several times its value when Ducks Unlimited seeks matching funds. HEALTHY SOUNDS MEAN HEALTHY WETLANDS North Carolina has an abundance of wetlands, from mountain streams to bottomland hardwoods to coastal sounds and bays. Although most wetlands are located in the eastern portion of the state, the concern is statewide since impacted streams and rivers located in the piedmont and mountain regions eventually reach the coast. Poor water quality affects fish and wildlife resources along with the recreational, commercial, and functional values that wetlands provide to North Carolinians. Since waterfowl are migratory and use North Carolina s wetlands during the winter, it is critical that fundraising efforts associated with Sound CARE contribute to conservation efforts on the breeding areas. Without nesting habitat and associated wetlands, waterfowl are not able to breed successfully and prepare for migration to wintering areas. The breeding grounds are under the same pressures that threaten North Carolina s wetlands. THE NEED IN NORTH CAROLINA Wildlife-related activities contribute over $2.4 billion to the economy of North Carolina and 2.3 million North Carolinians (39% of the state population) participate in these activities. Opportunities to enjoy wildlife-related activities exist year-round, whether it is waterfowl hunting on Pamlico Sound during the winter, trout fishing in a mountain stream during summer, or watching shorebirds migrate along the Outer Banks in the fall. With a rich diversity of fish and wildlife resources comes a responsibility to conserve the habitats they require to survive. For waterfowl, high-quality habitat is needed throughout the birds annual life cycle: during breeding seasons, fall migration, winter recovery months, and spring migration. Conservation

3 of habitat is essential so that our children may come to know and enjoy the wonder of North Carolina s natural resources. North Carolina Annually winters over 350,000 waterfowl, including up to 75% of the Atlantic Flyway population of canvasbacks and at least 80% of the continental population of tundra swans. Besides canvasbacks, the bays and sounds provide habitat for redheads, scaup, and other diving ducks. Rivers, inland lakes, ponds, and forested wetlands provide critical habitat for mallards, black ducks, northern pintails, ringnecked ducks, and wood ducks. For resident wildlife species, like wood ducks and great blue herons, wetlands must provide year-round habitat needs, including food and shelter. Over 50% (nearly 6 million acres) of North Carolina s original wetlands have been lost. Between 1974 and 1983, the state lost 1.2 million acres of forested and scrub-shrub wetlands. That s nearly 250 football fields per day for 10 years! This loss accounted for 46% of the total wetland loss in the U.S. during that period. THE NEED ON THE BREEDING GROUNDS Factors associated with breeding, such as nest success and survival, have the greatest influence on waterfowl population growth. The link between the breeding grounds and North Carolina is obvious waterfowl that winter in the state are migrating to breeding grounds located in the northern U.S. and Canada. The most important areas for North Carolina waterfowl include the Prairie Pothole Region, the Western Boreal Forest, and Eastern Canada. Prairie Pothole Region Covers approximately 335,000 square miles and stretches from southern Iowa to north central Alberta. Between 50-90% of the wetlands in this area have been lost or severely degraded to facilitate agricultural development while 62% (56 million acres) of the native grasslands have been destroyed. Supports million breeding waterfowl and provides important migration habitat for tundra swans. In wet years, 70% or more of the continent s duck production originates in this region and the area is recognized as the most significant breeding waterfowl habitat in the world. Especially important to pintails, canvasbacks, redheads, green-winged teal, and gadwall that winter in North Carolina. Over 225 other species of migratory birds use the Prairie Pothole Region.

4 Western Boreal Forest Covers approximately 1.1 million square miles stretching from western Ontario to central Alaska and is one of the largest forested regions in the world. Supports million breeding waterfowl. Especially important to scaup, pintails, and ringnecked ducks wintering in North Carolina. Permanent wetlands are used by millions of molting waterfowl, including those that migrate from the Prairie Pothole Region. Once thought to be undisturbed and remote, the Western Boreal Forest is now threatened by forestry, agriculture, hydroelectric development, and extraction of petroleum resources. Eastern Canada Covers approximately 1 million square miles in 6 Canadian provinces. Provides breeding, molting, staging, migrating, and wintering habitat for over 8 million waterfowl. It is especially important to mallards, black ducks, ring-necked ducks, green-winged teal, Canada and greater snow geese that winter in North Carolina. The need is urgent wetland and upland habitat continue to disappear in these critical areas and the loss is attributable to many of the same factors occurring in North Carolina. Under Sound CARE, Ducks Unlimited will partner with private citizens, corporations, foundations, non-profit organizations, and local, state and federal entities to complete habitat conservation projects for the benefit of waterfowl, other wildlife, and the citizens of North Carolina.

5 ATLANTIC RIVERS AND ESTUARIES FOCUS AREA LAND PROTECTION PROGRAM PURPOSE: This program will focus on the long-term protection of habitat within a 35-county area in eastern NC. DU will work with private landowners to establish voluntary easements on their property. These easements give perpetual protection to both wetland and upland habitats, thereby preventing future loss of habitat to factors such as development and industrialization. The funds will cover operational costs associated with the easement program including the establishment of an easement endowment to fund annual monitoring and technical assistance. In addition, DU will partner with governmental agencies to acquire lands that can be restored and managed for waterfowl, and added to the public lands system. ACRES: 11,000 Eastern NC 35 counties within the focus area although easements outside the designated area will be accepted on an individual basis. Private Landowners COST: $3,000,000

6 J. MORGAN FUTCH GAME LAND ACQUISITION AND RESTORATION PROJECT PURPOSE: Acquisition and restoration of 600-acres of former agricultural lands back to managed wetland habitat. Restoration activities included the renovation of existing dikes and the installation of new water control structures and pump system. The tract was acquired by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and is managed for waterfowl and other wetland wildlife species. ACRES: 600 Tyrrell County, NC North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission North American Wetlands Conservation Council COST: $1,400,000

7 SALTWORKS TRACT PURPOSE: Acquisition and restoration of 444-acres along the Newport River. Projects have been identified to restore migratory bird habitat on this tract. DU acquired this tract and donated the property to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission for inclusion in the public lands system. This project will provide important resources for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds along with resident wildlife such as herons, rails, and egrets. ACRES: 444 Carteret County, NC North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund COST: $1,000,000

8 ROANOKE ISLAND MARSHES GAME LAND MIDGETT IMPOUNDMENT PROJECT PURPOSE: This project will restore management capability to a 32-acre unit on Roanoke Island. Public access will be enhanced by constructing a parking lot, hiking trail, informational kiosks, and observation towers. This project will be a prime wildlife viewing area and attract thousands of visitors. ACRES: 32 Dare County, NC Park Foundation North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission North American Wetlands Conservation Council North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation COST: $290,000

9 GULL ROCK GAME LAND IMPOUNDMENT RESTORATION PROJECT PURPOSE: This project will enhance management capability of a 347-acre unit on the Gull Rock Game Land. Infrastructure improvements will include the installation of three water control structures and the replacement of a pump and power unit to control water levels. ACRES: 347 Hyde County, NC North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission COST: $120,000

10 LANTERN ACRES GAME LAND RESTORATION PROJECT PURPOSE: This project will enhance an existing 200-acre unit by refurbishing an existing dike and water control structure and installing a pump and power unit to improve water management capabilities. ACRES: 200 Tyrrell County, NC North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission COST: $220,000

11 POCOSIN LAKES NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE PUNGO UNIT PROJECT PURPOSE: This project will include installing a pump and well to restore water management capabilities to a 150-acre moist soil unit. ACRES: 150 Washington County, NC U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service COST: $130,000

12 ROANOKE RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE ASKEW TRACT RESTORATION PROJECT PURPOSE: This project will restore natural wetland functions to 411 acres of bottomland hardwoods along the Roanoke River. The wetland habitat has been impacted due to changes in river hydrology caused by construction of an upstream dam. Restoration elements will include the construction of levees and installation of water control structures and a pump system, thereby allowing managers to mimic natural river fluctuations. ACRES: 411 Bertie County, NC U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission North American Wetlands Conservation Council Smithfield Foods, Inc. Murphy Brown, LLC North Carolina Attorney General s Office COST: $245,000

13 ROANOKE RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE BROADNECK RESTORATION PROJECT PURPOSE: This project will restore the natural wetland functions to 1,050 acres of bottomland hardwoods along the Roanoke River. The wetland habitat has been impacted due to changes in river hydrology caused by construction of an upstream dam. Restoration elements will include the installation of water control structures to allow managers to mimic natural river fluctuations. ACRES: 1,050 Bertie County, NC U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service COST: $450,000

14 ROANOKE RIVER WETLANDS GAME LAND WHITLEY TRACT WETLAND RESTORATION PURPOSE: This project restored wetland habitat on former agricultural lands. Improvements included construction of dikes, and the installation of water control structures and a well to enhance water management capability for wetland-dependent wildlife. ACRES: 75 Martin County, NC North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service COST: $170,000

15 ROANOKE RIVER WETLANDS GAME LAND CONOHO FARMS RESTORATION PHASE 1 & 2 PURPOSE: This project will restore wetland habitat on former agricultural lands. Improvements will include construction of levees and the installation of water control structures to enhance water management capability for wetland-dependent wildlife. ACRES: 105 Martin County, NC North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission North American Wetlands Conservation Council Smithfield Foods, Inc. Murphy Brown, LLC North Carolina Attorney General s Office COST: $785,000

16 NORTH RIVER GAME LAND HARRISON TRACT WATERFOWL PROJECT PURPOSE: This project will restore wetland habitat on former agricultural lands. Improvements will include construction of dikes, and the installation of water control structures and a pump system to enhance water management capability for wetland-dependent wildlife. ACRES: 53 Camden County, NC North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service North American Wetlands Conservation Council COST: $300,000

17 MACKAY ISLAND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE KITCHIN IMPOUNDMENT / LIVE OAK POINT PURPOSE: The Kitchin Impoundment Project restored 510 acres of brackish marsh within the refuge. This habitat is especially critical to migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. The Live Oak Point Project consists of a trail commemorating Joseph P. Knapp, the founder of Ducks Unlimited. Mr. Knapp resided on Knott s Island and was a well-known conservationist and philanthropist. ACRES: 510 Currituck County, NC U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service COST: $285,000

18 CURRITUCK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SWAN ISLAND ENHANCEMENT PROJECT PURPOSE: This project will provide freshwater wetland habitat along the Outer Banks. Along the coast, this habitat provides a critical source of food and fresh water for many wildlife species. The project will establish a series of shallow-water wells to provide a source of freshwater to the wetland. ACRES: 150 Currituck County, NC U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service North American Wetlands Conservation Council COST: $65,000

19 PEE DEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE ANDREWS COMPLEX WETLAND PROJECT PURPOSE: This project restored wetland habitat on former agricultural lands. Improvements included construction of dikes, and the installation of three water control structures to enhance water management capability for wetland-dependent wildlife. ACRES: 20 Richmond County, NC U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Progress Energy COST: $82,000

20 MATTAMUSKEET NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE PURPOSE: This project will enhance 2,000 acres of wetland habitat. Improvements will include replacing two water control structures, installing three pump systems, and rehabilitating existing dikes to enhance water management capabilities for wetland-dependent wildlife. This project will benefit waterfowl, wading birds, and shorebirds. ACRES: 2,000 Hyde County, NC U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service COST: $600,000

21 NORTH CAROLINA PARTNERS PROGRAM PURPOSE: Provide technical and financial assistance to private landowners for the restoration, enhancement, and long-term management of wetland and waterfowl habitat. Cooperating landowners enter into an agreement and are responsible for the annual maintenance and management of the wetland. This successful project has enrolled over 90 landowners and restored or enhanced over 4,000 acres of habitat since ACRES: 2,000 Statewide North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Private Landowners TOTAL COST: $500,000

22 BUTNER-FALLS OF THE NEUSE GAME LAND WETLAND ENHANCEMENT PROJECT PURPOSE: This project will enhance the management capability on several existing impoundments. Renovating dikes and installing water control structures will allow for better management of the wetland habitat. ACRES: 400 Granville and Wake Counties, NC North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission TOTAL COST: $1,700,000

23 CALEDONIA STATE PRISON WETLAND RESTORATION PROJECT PURPOSE: This project will restore wetland habitat along the Roanoke River. Improvements will include constructing dikes, adding water control structures, and retrofitting an existing pump station to improve water management capabilities. ACRES: 75 Halifax County, NC North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Caledonia State Prison TOTAL COST: $230,000

24 FORT BRAGG WETLAND RESTORATION PURPOSE: This project will restore and enhance 281 acres of wetland habitat and former agricultural lands on Fort Bragg. DU and Fort Bragg wildlife management staff have identified 12 sites to increase wetland habitat on the area. ACRES: 281 Cumberland County, NC Department of Defense Smithfield Foods, Inc. Murphy Brown, LLC North Carolina Attorney General s Office TOTAL COST: $425,000

25 JOHNS RIVER TRACT ACQUISITION AND RESTORATION PURPOSE: This project will acquire the Johns River Tract by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission for inclusion in the game land system. This tract has high significance in protecting riverine and aquatic ecosystem values including wildlife and water quality. In addition, the opportunity exists to restore the hydrology of the tract through wetland projects. ACRES: 1,000 Burke County, NC North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund TOTAL COST: $3,000,000

26 Map showing connection between waterfowl that winter in NC and banding location in the Missouri Coteau. GRASSLANDS FOR TOMORROW PURPOSE: The Missouri Coteau is a large ribbon of grassland sprinkled with thousands of pothole wetlands that parallels much of the Missouri River through South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, and Saskatchewan. Coteau is a French word that means hills of the prairie. This landscape, encompassing 25,800 square miles, is the best remaining waterfowl and grassland songbird breeding habitat in North America. However, the conversion of grasslands to agriculture and subsequent changes in the predator community have led to a fragmented habitat and precipitous decline in the nesting success of prairie-breeding birds. Species like northern pintail and piping plovers, that winter in North Carolina, have been particularly hard hit. The opportunity to protect the best remaining native prairie in the country must be met. Please join us today to secure a brighter future for the prairies entrusted to our stewardship and to provide a legacy for future generations. ACRES: Conservation easements 20,000 acres / acquisition 6,000 acres North and South Dakota Private Landowners TOTAL COST: $6,000,000

27 Map showing connection between waterfowl that winter in NC and banding location in the Wild Rice Lake region of Minnesota. LIVING LAKES INITIATIVE PURPOSE: The many shallow lakes of Minnesota contain some of the largest acreages of wild rice left in the country. More than any other wetland habitat within the vast forests of Minnesota, it is wild rice lakes that sustain populations of breeding and migrating waterfowl. Many ducks that utilize this habitat migrate to the South Atlantic, including North Carolina, to winter. Unfortunately, these lakes are threatened by timber and development interests. In response to these threats, Ducks Unlimited has launched its Living Lakes Initiative, which targets the protection, restoration, and enhancement of these wetlands. Wild rice lakes are a unique wetland resource, an essential habitat for waterfowl in the northern forests, and a key component of our cultural and natural heritage. ACRES: 2,000 Minnesota Private Landowners TOTAL COST: $2,250,000

28 MANITOBA PRAIRIE PARKLAND PROGRAM PURPOSE: Within Manitoba, the primary target for sustainable land use programs is the southern prairies and parklands where the majority of agricultural activity occurs in conjunction with the primary waterfowl breeding habitats. DU conservation programs are designed to provide landowners with economic rewards for environmentally sustainable practices. ACRES: Protection 22,310 Enhancement 19,910 Management 661,800 Southwest Manitoba, Canada Ducks Unlimited Canada North American Wetlands Conservation Council Federal and Provincial Governments of Canada TOTAL COST: $5,000,000

29 EASTERN CANADA CONSERVATION PROGRAM PURPOSE: Conservation priorities in eastern Canada include coastal wetlands, small wetlands, and mapping wetland habitats. For example, Ontario borders four of five Great Lakes, boasts over 400,000 inland wetlands and is home to two of the four most populated cities in Canada. The Richelieu, Ottawa, and St. Lawrence rivers are critical because they contain many important migration staging areas. Atlantic coastal wetlands are critical to waterfowl throughout the year but are under considerable pressure from recreational, urban, and industrial development while wetlands within agricultural landscapes provide important breeding habitat. ACRES: 2,000 Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland Ducks Unlimited Canada North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission North American Wetlands Conservation Council Federal and Provincial Governments of Canada TOTAL COST: $1,000,000