The BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico caused irreparable damage to the surrounding wetlands and its inhabitants; however, there seems to be hope on the horizon for numerous migratory birds heading south for the winter. In the wake of such a disaster, there is a plan in place to create temporary wetlands for migrating birds by flooding farmlands not currently in use. The ultimate objective is to keep the migratory birds away from the oil polluted wetlands of the Gulf while cleanup efforts continue.
This project is the Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative established by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. According to the NRCS, the Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative was created specifically “to improve habitat conditions and safeguard food sources for the migratory birds that could be impacted by the Deepwater Horizon/BP oil spill.” And in order to create enough available wetlands for any migrating birds wishing to take advantage of the clean water, NRCS is working with “private landowners, U. S. Coast Guard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other conservation partners to establish habitat and food sources on participating lands for the migrating birds.” It is the hard work and devotion of the numerous people and agencies that make this Initiative a success.
The eight states (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas) participating in the Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative are all located in “in major North American flyways, the primary routes shorebirds and waterfowl follow in their annual migration to and through the Gulf region.”
The Initiative’s popularity came as a surprise to the NRCS; interest in getting involved in the effort exceeded any preconceived expectations and there is now a waiting list for farmers wanting to join the cause.
*all quoted material from NRCS
No comments:
Post a Comment