|
| Media Contacts | Reporters Tip Sheet | Just Escape | Accomplishment Reporting | Inside Region 3 | Commuting through a Wildlife Production Area
|
 |
Litchfield Wetland Management District staff and volunteer restoration efforts on the Weber Waterfowl Production Area have made the community in Willmar, Minn. notice and enjoy its beauty. |
 |
Weber Waterfowl Production Area has become a treasured landscape for the community of Willmar, Minn. |
 |
The morning commute view for Spicer, Minn. resident, Jan Saulsbury. |
What do you see on your commute? Most people probably observe cars, gas stations, buildings, street signs, and joggers. This is not the case for commuters in the Willmar, Minn. area. Since this summer road construction on a major highway north of the town has changed the commute for a large part of the community. The detour has people observing ducks feeding, frogs calling, and bird singing. They are viewing Weber Waterfowl Production Area (Weber) within the Litchfield Wetland Management District (Litchfield).
“Now that my regular route to work is not available, I have been coming into work via Little Crow Trail (County Road 5) and this brings me pass the beautiful Weber Wetlands,” stated Jan Saulsbury, a local resident.
Litchfield staff and volunteer restoration efforts on the Weber have made the community in Willmar notice and enjoy its beauty. Through a connection with the local Boy Scout troop, District Manager Scott Glup used youth and multiple grants over several years to restore Weber back to pristine habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife. Tree removal and native prairie seed collecting projects assisted Boy Scout Troop #224 toward receiving two 50-mile awards, which require ten hours of conservation work per badge. In addition, an Eagle Scout project by Scott’s son, Matt, restored the Weber sign and produced 3 new interpretive signs, a cement walkway, and bench.
Glup states that, “Weber is our most visible waterfowl production area in Kandiyohi County. The public has been watching the restoration of Weber.” He has had numerous community members comment to him on how it is a beautiful view; thanking the Service with recognizing the Scouts hard work; and how Weber has improved their commute to work. Weber has become a treasured landscape for the community of Willmar, Minn.
Want to find a waterfowl production area near your house? The U.S. Fish and Wildlfie Service offers on on-line mapping tool to help you located a WPA near you.
Visit the site at: http://gis.fws.doi.net/WPA_Mapper/
Last updated: September 3, 2009
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, One Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, MN 55111-4056
612-713-5360
E-mail: MidwestNews@fws.gov
