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Ranchers Turn Soggy Land into Wildlife Haven
18 Oct
Summary
- A 14-acre parcel was transformed into a thriving wetland habitat.
- Wildlife, including ducks and shorebirds, returned within days.
- The restored wetland also helped reduce flooding on the ranch.
Ranchers Heidi and Stan Gorden in Bonanza, Oregon, successfully converted a difficult 14-acre section of their Bar GX Ranch into a valuable wetland habitat. This land, previously unsuitable for hay production and lacking wetland wildlife, was restored by autumn 2024 through a collaboration with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Klamath Watershed Partnership.
The restoration project aimed to create functional wetland habitat that supports wildlife and aids in water management. Wildlife, including various bird species and pronghorn, began utilizing the new environment within days of its completion.
Beyond providing crucial habitat, the revitalized wetland also demonstrated significant benefits for water management on the ranch. It helped to reduce flooding in other areas, showcasing the ecological and practical advantages of wetland restoration on private working land.
