2009 Federal Duck Stamp Contest Phone: 507-831-2220 |
In 1958, Congress amended the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act (the Duck Stamp Act), which authorized the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Small Wetland Acquisition Program. Under this program, the Service has protected well over 2 million acres of wetland and grassland habitat.
In the Windom Wetland Management District, wetland and grassland easements protect more than 2,000 acres. Wetland easements are signed agreements with private landowners to permanently protect valuable wetlands. The landowner receives a one-time payment; protected wetland basins cannot be drained, burned, filled, or leveled. When these wetlands naturally dry up, they can be farmed, grazed or hayed. The land remains in private ownership, remains on the tax rolls, and the landowner controls access.
To learn more about wetland easements, 
please visit this link.
Easements help to prevent the loss of wetlands like these on private land.
