Speak Out to Save Ducklings and Wetland Habitat

Blue-winged teal in shallow wetlands with ducklings

More than half of all ducks in America are born in the shallow wetlands of the Prairie Pothole Region—spanning North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Montana—but over 50% of those wetlands have already been lost to agriculture or development. A proposal that could lead to the weakening of scientific standards that could allow these wetlands to be drained threatens to put this irreplaceable nesting and breeding habitat for ducks, like blue-winged teal, at risk.

Take action to help protect vital wetlands where ducklings are born and grow up. Tell the Fish & Wildlife Service to maintain its current science-based standards for protecting Prairie Pothole wetland easements from being drained.

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I care about America’s ducks and request that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service maintains its current science-based standards for protecting Prairie Pothole wetland easements from being drained. More than half of all ducks in America are born and grow up in the shallow wetlands of the Prairie Pothole Region, but over 50% of those wetlands have already been lost to agriculture or development.

I understand that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has worked for six decades with willing farmers who voluntarily agree not to drain, fill, burn or level wetland habitat in exchange for conservation easement payments. Through the use of science-based standards, participating farmers have helped safeguard nearly 1.7 million acres of essential duckling habitat in the Prairie Pothole region. It is important to me that these 1.7 million acres - and even more vital wetland habitat in the region - is safeguarded and not drained.

I also understand that should the current standards eventually be weakened, the resulting damage to the small, shallow wetlands protected by many of these easement agreements could be substantial. Some wetlands could be drained entirely, while others could lose enough water to dry out well before the nesting season ends. Duck populations could be harmed or lost—as they must have shallow wetlands that provide short grass cover for nesting and evading predators, and aquatic insects for hens and newly hatched ducklings to feed on.

The current system works and I am opposed to undermining it. Thank you.

Sincerely,
{user_data~First Name} {user_data~Last Name}

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