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Page 1 of 2 <br /> unzler Wildlife Habitat Preserve <br /> The Kuenzler Wildlife Habltat Preserve <br /> A Story of Farmland Protection and Wetland Restoration - Continued <br /> The team decided to slow the water flowing from an existing ditch } '' <br /> and redirect a portion of this water into a set of shallow pools and � � ,� T m - <br /> : , c tLF r <br /> c � it <br /> wet areas. The concept was to create a diverse set of forested = s p . t , <br /> wetland types : semi-permanent pools, ephemeral pools, saturated - <br /> soil and moist u lands. i Y � � <br /> 7 <br /> r R, t ta5- <br /> r: � x'"emu`.���•�'tvx <br /> -' Y `�- <br /> - x_ �,..�. 3'�• ,.�-Tit-.�-.rc-�r.� 't -z'. <br /> The project consisted of five components . <br /> . plugging the existing ditch to close the drainage outlet ; - Arr <br /> ,�-F. I YY <br /> sculpting crescent-shaped low areas along one field edge ; { ` - <br /> excavating three shallow pools with very gentle slopes • OFF <br /> creatmi a diversion to spread water over the floodplain <br /> � jL <br /> through the pools ; <br /> c <br /> . restoring native vegetation. <br /> Existing C. annel - �` �=` Restoration in progress. Excavation formed cresent-shaped low <br /> areas along the field in 2001 . <br /> ._ ,. , ; , Pools <br /> The WRP easement became effective at the same time as the TLC <br /> r r `' <br /> � , �2s ,,. ;; conservation easement in December 2001 . The two conservation <br /> IrI <br /> er��R 1 ' i_. ` ' . . ` ; ,� • - easements overlap one another and provide comprehensive <br /> ;: . '�- _ protection for the habitat . <br /> OFF <br /> Existing Uk I Shallovi Roo! . . <br /> � - r r � 1 <br /> OF, <br /> Oj <br /> OF <br /> �-- Channel Plug tNw, , , > <br /> ..' - - - • <br /> Engineering drawing of the completed wetland restoration project. <br /> To restore a diverse set of native vegetation , the team partnered sir , <br /> with Niche Gardens, a local native plants nursery. The nursery <br /> d-� y <br /> ,provided native shrub and tree seedlings. They also helped collect w. .f :3r <br /> wildflower seeds from the site prior to the excavation work- These <br /> seeds were later used to replant the area. In. addition , many native <br /> plants re-colonized once the weather warmed. <br /> In one year, native plants sucessfully colonized the low area shown <br /> A variety of mechanisms funded the wetland restoration project, above. <br /> First, USFWS Partner s for Fish and Wildlife program provided <br /> $4 , 000 in seed money to begin the restoration work . Second, NRCS The restoration work was completed in the fall of 2001 . As of <br /> enrolled the wetlands in a permanent Wetlands Reserve Program 2002 , the wetland is providing habitat for diverse native riparian <br /> (WRP) easement. Since the Kuenzlers agreed to a permanent and aquatic plants, aquatic insects , clams, amphibians , and <br /> wetland easement, NRCS provided the family a land payment and reptiles . In addition, deer, small mammals, migratory birds, and <br /> covered the remaining restoration costs . The total cost of wading birds such as herons and egrets are already using the site. <br /> restoration was approximately $20 , 000 . It is now a flourishing wetland <br /> The Kuenzler Wildlife Habitat Preserve is a wonderful example of <br /> how one North Carolina family is successfully using assistance of <br /> prOF <br /> ivate conservation organizations and public programs to make <br /> sure their land will always stay the way they have come to know <br /> and love it. <br />