The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) is one of the most significant habitat restoration programs in Iowa and has added more acres of wetland habitat than any other program since 1993. With this project, we aim to describe the use of WRP sites in the Prairie Pothole Region in Iowa by nongame breeding birds, including species of conservation concern, and evaluate the site characteristics that are associated with the diversity and abundance of birds. Results will inform best practices for prioritizing sites for future WRP engagement as well as management of existing sites to support breeding wetland-dependent birds. This project will be conducted in partnership with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Principal Investigator: Anna Tucker

Graduate Student: Lindsey Gapinski