48 2022 Annual Report
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Conservation
We t l a n d s p l a n n i n g
a n d p u m p i n g
b e n e f i t s w i l d l i f e
With drought across much the state in late summer
and fall, Nebraska Game and Parks needed to pump
water into 25 wetland areas across the state for the
benefit of wildlife, wildlife watchers and hunters.
The ability to deliver water into these wetlands takes
a lot of planning, funding and collaboration, including
to secure land, restore and manage wetlands, and
provide pumping infrastructure. Over the past 15 years,
restoration projects have been completed on more than
22 wildlife management areas, and we have added
pumps, wells or water pipelines to 21 wildlife and park
areas. Additional projects are being planned.
Evidence of success from these efforts was seen in
October when a pair of endangered whooping cranes
spent 26 days at the Kissinger Wildlife Management
Area in Clay County. This was a record-long fall stopover
in Nebraska involving adult whooping cranes. The
length of their stay suggests the habitat at Kissinger
WMA was favorable. The area has undergone extensive
restoration and habitat management to improve its
value to migratory birds and other wildlife including
pumping, grazing and prescribed fire.
Whooping cranes
