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​Pennsylvania Wetland Habitat Initiative

The Pennsylvania Game Commission and Ducks Unlimited have partnered to improve 1,600 acres of wetland habitats on 61 state game lands across Pennsylvania.

Please visit Waterfowl Hunting and Conservation for more information.

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Project Summary

The Pennsylvania Wetland Habitat Initiative (PWHI) is a $6 million investment that aims to replace water control structures and improve existing spillways and levees over the next three years at sites in 31 counties throughout each of the PGC's six regions.

"This is the largest conservation initiative Ducks Unlimited has ever been involved with in Pennsylvania, and we are excited to work with the Game Commission to improve wetland habitat statewide," said DU Regional Biologist Jim Feaga. 

The management of wetlands on state game lands has been an ongoing challenge. For decades, outdated pipes, boards, and damaged dikes have limited site managers' ability to maintain State Game Lands wetland impoundments properly. But the PWHI—courtesy of funding from USFWS Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program and the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act—will inject new life into Pennsylvania's wetlands, improving wildlife habitat, water quality, and flood control.

Project Mission

The ability to manipulate water levels is paramount in creating healthy wetlands and duck habitat. Timely spring drawdowns allow natural vegetation to grow, so that when water is added in the fall, migrating waterfowl and other water-bird species can feast on the seeds and tubers of native plants.

  • This project seeks to restore habitats to benefit several species of waterfowl, shorebirds, secretive marsh birds, water birds and other wetland-dependent wildlife 
  • In an effort to ensure all managed wetlands are functioning as intended, the agency committed $6 million in federal Pittman-Robertson funds to begin updating infrastructure over the next three years. The enhancements will include repairing dikes and berms, replacing boards and more.
 
The mission of the Game Commission is to manage and protect wildlife and their habitats while promoting hunting and trapping for current and future generations.
 

Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved almost 15 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. For more information on Ducks Unlimited, please visit their website.