We’re happy to share the good news that today Groundswell purchased 20 acres of wetland and woods at Anderson Waterfowl Production Area in southern Columbia County.
We are grateful to the landowner for their willingness to conserve this last piece of their family’s farm. In recognition of the family’s legacy, we are calling this property the Midthun Addition to the Waterfowl Production Area (WPA).
Anderson is one of thirteen WPAs in Columbia County, spreading across 13,000 acres of land and water. They are managed by the Leopold Wetland Management District of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. WPAs are managed for breeding and migrating ducks, geese, and other waterfowl. They also provide important habitat for deer, turkey, pheasants, and other wildlife. All the WPAs in Columbia County are open for hunting, fishing, and trapping (subject to applicable Federal and State laws) as well as wildlife observation, hiking, cross-country skiing, nature study, and photography. Groundswell will donate the property to the Fish and Wildlife Service for long-term ownership and management.
Funding to purchase the property came from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, Ducks Unlimited, Madison Audubon, Pheasants Forever, and Groundswell supporters. Thanks to Ducks Unlimited for its role in securing the federal acquisition funds.