Conserving Wetlands

Mud Lake WMA wetlands is just one of many wetlands that have benefited from Ducks Unlimited dollars that were provided by regular people, just like us.

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The 10-foot wall of flame, driven by a sudden breeze, was less than 40 feet away and headed directly for me at an astonishing speed. I tried to run, but the ice beneath my feet kept breaking, sending my boots into the soft muck beneath. For a few moments, I thought I was going to end up a crispy critter, but another shift of wind stalled the advance and I crawled to safety. I realized that out of shape biologists probably shouldn’t be lighting marshes on fire even if it was for the health of the wetland.

Throughout the month of May, I have focused these nature columns on wetlands since May is Wetland Month. Over the past four articles, I introduced wetlands, described what a wetland is, explained the different types of wetlands, and, most importantly, why wetlands are essential to nature and to humans as well. In this final column, I want to discuss how each of us can help conserve and restore wetlands.

Before you pull your waders on and head for the nearest marsh looking for something you can do, if you don’t own property with wetlands on it, your ability to personally address wetlands conservation is close to zero. There certainly are a few volunteer programs that can and do help, but it is a matter of scale—as individuals, our physical efforts just don’t add up to enough to make a difference.

However, indirectly, you can have a great impact. This is a matter of scale too. When tens of thousands of people join together in a common cause and each doing seemingly small but coordinated efforts, it is a power to be reckoned with. So, here are three things you and I can personally do to support wetland conservation that will add directly to the efforts of others. If we can get our friends and acquaintances to do the same, and they do the same with theirs and so on, we will have accomplished a great deal.

1.       Buy Duck Stamps. These stamps, available from the Post Office (not valid as postage), cost $25 and have a $1.70 handling fee. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, “Ninety-eight cents of every duck stamp dollar go directly into the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund to purchase or lease wetlands and wildlife habitat for inclusion in the National Wildlife Refuge System” (does not include the handling fee). These are beautiful stamps and you can even buy previous years’ stamps if you want to start a collection.

2.       Support Farm Bill programs. “Farm Bill Conservation Programs provide $6 billion in conservation funding annually to improve habitat, access, and soil and water quality on private lands across the U.S (70 percent of this nation is private lands).” You can support Farm Bill programs by letting your federal legislators know that you are interested in wetland conservation and want to see wetlands conservation funding continued through the Farm Bill. The most recent Farm Bill (2018) is on life support right now, having been extended for one year past its expiration date on January 1, 2024. Here is how I did it. I went to the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) website (search Farm-bill (https://www.trcp.org/farm-bill/). While reading the page, a pop-up appeared. It was a form letter to legislators about support for Farm Bill and wetlands, easy to fill out and send, just follow the directions. With a few clicks, you will have added your voice to mine and that of thousands more to demand that Farm Bill programs continue to address wetlands.

3.       Join or support Ducks Unlimited (https://www.ducks.org/idaho). Ducks Unlimited is the world leader in wetland and waterfowl conservation. I cannot remember a significant wetlands project in Eastern Idaho where Ducks Unlimited was not involved. Ducks Unlimited has completed dozens of Eastern Idaho projects from as small as 1.9 acres to over 640 acres in recent years. You can join the organization—every additional member gives them more political clout—or if that doesn’t suit you, go to the website above and click on the Get Involved tab, where you will find other ways to help.

One thing is sure. Wetlands will not fix themselves and the default for most wetlands is development of some kind, unless we collectively get involved. Hopefully, with enough kicking and screaming, we can convince everyone that wetlands are not wastelands.

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Help Idaho Wildlife

When we traveled across the state in October 2017, most of the vehicles we saw using the wildlife management areas did not have wildlife plates. Buying wildlife plates is a great way for non-hunters and hunters alike to support wildlife-based recreation like birding.

C'mon folks, let's help Idaho's wildlife by proudly buying and displaying a wildlife license plate on each of our vehicles! 

See below for information on Idaho plates. Most states have wildlife plates so if you live outside Idaho, check with your state's wildlife department or vehicle licensing division for availability of state wildlife plates where you live. 

And tell them that you heard about it from Nature-track.com!

Wildlife License Plates

Great news! as of 2024, there are three NEW designs for license plates. They still are bluebird, cutthroat trout and elk, but they are beautiful.

Idaho Wildlife license plates provide essential funding that benefits the great diversity of native plants and wildlife that are not hunted, fished or trapped—over 10,000 species or 98% of Idaho’s species diversity. Game species that share the same habitats (such as elk, deer, antelope, sage-grouse, salmon, trout) also benefit from these specialty plates.

No state tax dollars are provided for wildlife diversity, conservation education and recreation programs. Neither are any revenues from the sale of hunting or fishing licenses spent on nongame species. Instead, these species depend on direct donations, federal grants, fundraising initiatives—and the Idaho Wildlife license plates.

Both my vehicles have Bluebird Plates. I prefer the bluebird because the nongame program gets 70 percent of the money from bluebird plates, but only 60 percent of the money from elk and trout plates - 10 percent of the money from elk plates supports wildlife disease monitoring and testing programs (to benefit the livestock industry) and 10 percent from cutthroat plates supports non-motorized boat access.

Incidentally, in 2014, the Idaho Legislature denied the Department of Fish and Game the ability to add new plates or even to change the name of the elk and cutthroat plates (very specific) to wildlife and fish plates, a move that would have allowed for changing images occasionally and generating more revenue. It would seem that they believe that we Idahoans don't want a well funded wildlife program.

I think it is time we let the Legislature know that Idahoan support wildlife funding and that we would like to see these generic plates come to fruition.