Robust growth of plants such as cattail, bulrush, pondweed, smartweed and millet are important to birds and other wildlife for shelter and food production. In addition, aquatic insects provide an important protein source for many marsh birds. These wetland plants and insects are most productive when water levels fluctuate through wet and dry cycles, as naturally occurred on the prairie. Consequently, we have installed water control structures on some wetlands, which allows us to manage water levels so they mimic the natural cycles of flood and drought. 

Much like the marsh habitat, the tallgrass prairie provides the best food and shelter for birds and other wildlife when it undergoes the natural cycles that occurred in the past. These cycles include not only flood and drought, but also fire and grazing by animals. We use management tools such as prescribed burning, haying and grazing to mimic these natural cycles and to keep the prairie healthy and productive.