By Jim Schrenkel, Wildlife Biologist
WR-what? As with all governmental agencies, acronyms abound. WRP stands for the Wetland Reserve Program administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). Before discussing the many wildlife benefits, a general understanding of the program will be helpful.
The WRP should actually be called the Wetland “Restoration” Program. The WRP is a voluntary program providing technical and financial assistance to landowners interested in restoring converted croplands and pastures back to wetlands. In a nutshell, it is restoring historic wetlands, cleared by people many years ago for agricultural purposes, back into functioning wetlands as Mother Nature originally intended. Wetlands have many benefits to people as well as wildlife. Water quality is improved through natural water filtration. Ground water is recharged. Flood risks are reduced by storing flood water. Wetlands are aesthetically pleasing. Finally, quality wildlife habitat is created.
From the bottom of the food chain all the way to the top, a host of plant and animal life is supported by wetlands. Microscopic zooplankton are fed on by insect larvae and nymphs, which in turn are fed on by fish, reptiles and amphibians, which in turn are fed on by predatory animals such as eagles, mink, raccoons, etc. Wetlands provide food and cover for many other mammals such as beaver, otter, deer, rabbits and squirrels. Wetlands are probably most noted for the essential habitat they provide to many migratory birds and numerous threatened and endangered species.
Since wetlands are so diverse, they provide food, water and cover requirements necessary for many species of wildlife as well as people. This gives a whole new meaning to “what’s good for the goose is also good for the gander,” no pun intended.