Iowa Wetland Management District facts for kids
The Iowa Wetland Management District is a special place in Iowa where people work to protect wetlands and the amazing wildlife that lives there. It's part of the larger Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge. What makes this district unique is how it works with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. They team up to manage many areas called "waterfowl production areas" (WPAs). This teamwork helps create big, safe homes for water birds like ducks and geese, and many other animals too!
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Protecting Iowa's Wetlands
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources have a special agreement. This agreement helps them work together to protect nature. They manage many of the "waterfowl production areas" (WPAs) in the district. This partnership has been very helpful. Together, they have been able to create large areas of habitat. These habitats are perfect for water birds and other wildlife.
Where Are These Protected Areas?
The Wetland Management District covers a large area, including 35 counties. However, not all 35 counties have WPAs yet. Right now, there are WPAs in 16 counties. Most of the new land bought for the district is added to existing wetland areas. This means it's not likely that land will be bought in all 35 counties. The goal is to make the current wildlife areas even bigger and better.
Important Waterfowl Production Areas
Most of the WPAs are fairly small. They are usually between 100 and 500 acres (2.0 km2) in size. But some of these areas have grown much larger over time.
Union Hills WPA
The Union Hills WPA in Cerro Gordo County is the biggest WPA in Iowa. It covers more than 2,000 acres (8.1 km2). This large area provides a huge home for many different animals.
Spring Run Complex
Spring Run is another very large area. It's a mix of land managed by both the State and the Federal government. This complex is located in Dickinson County. It is the second largest WPA in the district.
Other Large WPAs
Other important and large restored areas in the Iowa Wetland Management District include:
- Dugout Creek WPA in Dickinson County
- Lower Morse Lake in Wright County
These areas are all important for protecting Iowa's wetlands and the wildlife that depends on them.
