DU, MDC involved in major renovations

Through a cooperative effort between the Missouri Department of Conservation and Ducks Unlimited, a major project is underway to benefit several waterfowl species at the Duck Creek Conservation Area near Puxico.

According to local Ducks Unlimited SEMO Regional Coordinator Michael Wilburn of Dexter, who works through the local Green Head Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, species including mallards, Northern Pintails, Gadwalls, Northern Shovelers, and both Greenwing and Bluewing Teals are among just a few of the ducks to benefit from what has been labeled the Legacy Greenwing Program at three Missouri Department of Conservation Areas, one of which is Duck Creek. Also to benefit from the project are several different species of turkey and white-tailed deer, Wilburn says.

"Ducks Unlimited is committed to raising funds which will be matched by the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and numerous other conservation partners. Therefore, all of the Legacy Greenwing memberships signed up at DU events will help with the completion of these projects," explains Wilburn. "Duck Creek has been under renovation for a couple of years now and is nearing the end of the work on that area, but Ducks Unlimited and the MDC are not stopping there."

An offer is on the table for youths through the age of 17 to be memorialized at the Duck Creek Conservation Area through a one-time $200 donation that will go directly toward improving watershed hydrology and restoring natural wetlands. For the donation, the name of a youth will be cast in a bronze plaque which will be placed in a rock cairn and located at the Duck Creek Conservation Area.

"The Greenwing Project will ensure sufficient water is available to meet demands of agriculture, wildlife, and fish populations," Wilburn explains. "To date, we have three standard NAWCA grants of $1 million each that have been secured for project delivery within the Mingo Basin in southeast Missouri. These donations of $200 will be matched by the NAWCA, the MDC and numerous other conservation partners. All of the Legacy Greenwing memberships signed up at Ducks Unlimited events will help with the completion of these projects."

The Mingo Basin consists of nearly 28,000 acres of historic floodplain on the Mississippi River. Most of the basin is made up of the 21,592-acre Mingo National Wildlife Refuge and the state-owned 6,234 acre Duck Creek Conservation Area.

The first grant, labeled Mingo I, is targeted at restoration activities on Duck Creek, and that work has already been completed.

The second grant, Mingo II, targets the replacement of one major water control and a spillway structure at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge.

"Because the topography of the Mingo basin is extremely flat, this project alone will directly benefit over 3,045 acres," Wilburn says. "Depending upon the weather, this portion of the project will begin in early spring and be completed this summer."

Mingo III will complete restoration work at Duck Creek. That project will most likely occur during the summer of 2013 and be completed in 2014.

"Ducks Unlimited and the Conservation Department are planning a wetland dedication for Duck Creek in the fall of 2014," explains Wilburn.

"We anticipate submitting a fourth NAWCA grant proposal focusing on the replacement of old water control structures and culverts, constructing an overflow spillway and low water crossing, lowering certain levees, reconnecting Mingo Creek to its historic channel, and restoring cane breaks on appropriate areas such as agricultural field and floodplain ridges at the refuge."

Anyone interested in memorializing their child or grandchild at Duck Creek Conservation Area through a donation, or to obtain further information about the Legacy Greenwing Project, may contact Mike Wilburn at 537-421-3713.

Ducks Unlimited is the world's leader in wetlands and waterfowl conservation, having gotten its start in 1937 during the Dust Bowl when North America's drought-plagued waterfowl populations had plunged to unprecedented lows. Determined not to sit idly by as the continent's waterfowl dwindled beyond recovery, a small group of sportsmen joined together to form an organization that became known as Ducks Unlimited. Ducks Unlimited's continuing mission is to conserve wildlife habitats.