The team decided to slow the water flowing from an existing ditch and redirect a portion of this water into a set of shallow pools and wet areas. The concept was to create a diverse set of forested wetland types: semi-permanent pools, ephemeral pools, saturated soil, and moist uplands.
The project consisted of five components:
- plugging the existing ditch to close the drainage outlet;
- sculpting crescent-shaped low areas along one field edge;
- excavating three shallow pools with very gentle slopes;
- creating a diversion to spread water over the floodplain through the pools;
- restoring native vegetation.
Engineering drawing of the completed wetland restoration project.
To restore a diverse set of native vegetation, the team partnered with Niche Gardens, a local native plants nursery. The nursery provided native shrub and tree seedlings. They also helped collect wildflower seeds from the site prior to the excavation work. These seeds were later used to replant the area. In addition, many native plants re-colonized once the weather warmed.
A variety of mechanisms funded the wetland restoration project. First, USFWS Partner s for Fish and Wildlife program provided $4,000 in seed money to begin the restoration work. Second, NRCS enrolled the wetlands in a permanent Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) easement. Since the Kuenzlers agreed to a permanent wetland easement, NRCS provided the family a land payment and covered the remaining restoration costs. The total cost of restoration was approximately $13,000.
Restoration in progress. Excavation formed cresent-shaped low areas along the field in 2001.
The WRP easement became effective at the same time as the TLC conservation easement in December 2001. The two conservation easements overlap one another and provide comprehensive protection for the habitat.
In one year, native plants sucessfully colonized the low area shown above.
The restoration work was completed in the fall of 2001. As of 2002, the wetland is providing habitat for diverse native riparian and aquatic plants, aquatic insects, clams, amphibians, and reptiles. In addition, deer, small mammals, migratory birds, and wading birds such as herons and egrets are already using the site. It is now a flourishing wetland
The Kuenzler Wildlife Habitat Preserve is a wonderful example of how one North Carolina family is successfully using assistance of private conservation organizations and public programs to make sure their land will always stay the way they have come to know and love it.
Fingernail clams found in a small pool with leafy debris. They filter water and provide a food source for fish, birds, and mammals.