Xerónimo Castañeda

Julia Barfield

Private wetlands compose sixty-five percent of remnant wetland habitat in the Central Valley, making them important habitat strongholds. By supporting wetland owners to flood-up dry wetlands in the winter and spring, private wetlands can help to meet habitat needs for all waterbird species. This is especially important during extended drought when there is far less flooded habitat across the Central Valley.

### Delta and South of Delta Wetlands Spring 2022

In response to the current severe drought, the Migratory Bird Conservation Partnership (The Nature Conservancy, Audubon California, and Point Blue Conservation Science) in cooperation with California Waterfowl Association and Ducks Unlimited, and funding from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, is coordinating an emergency drought response program to increase the amount of wetland habitat available in spring 2022.

The Spring BirdReturns-Delta and South of Delta Wetlands Program provides incentive payments for wetland owners to maintain fully flooded wetlands — using surface or groundwater — beginning April 1, 2022, followed by a staged drawdown over a four-week period.



Private wetlands compose sixty-five percent of remnant wetland habitat in the Central Valley, making them important habitat strongholds. By supporting wetland owners to flood-up dry wetlands in the winter and spring, private wetlands can help to meet habitat needs for all waterbird species. This is especially important during extended drought when there is far less flooded habitat across the Central Valley.
Delta and South of Delta Wetlands Spring 2022
In response to the current severe drought, the Migratory Bird Conservation Partnership (The Nature Conservancy, Audubon California, and Point Blue Conservation Science) in cooperation with California Waterfowl Association and Ducks Unlimited, and funding from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, is coordinating an emergency drought response program to increase the amount of wetland habitat available in spring 2022.
The Spring BirdReturns-Delta and South of Delta Wetlands Program provides incentive payments for wetland owners to maintain fully flooded wetlands — using surface or groundwater — beginning April 1, 2022, followed by a staged drawdown over a four-week period.

Who is eligible
- Delta and south of Delta wetlands >25 acres
- Wetland owners with access to groundwater and/or surface water
- For more detail on eligibility see Program Overlap details below
Ineligible Due to Program Overlap and Geographic Restrictions
- Wetlands enrolled in the Presley Program or that are currently receiving annual funding to manage spring wetlands i.e. NRCS EQIP
- Within 5 miles of major airports, including Sacramento, Travis Air Force Base, Fresno-Yosemite International Airport, and Lemoore Naval Air Station
- Groundwater pumping in areas that may negatively impact municipal wells
- Wetland Units less than 25 acres in size

Payment per unit of land to do or avoid certain practices related to land management.

Easement

Landscape

High Tunnel

Air Quality

Certification

Carbon Capture

Regenerative

Wildlife and Pollinator Habitat

Soil Health

Certified Organic

Certified Grassfed

Cover Crops

Reduced Tillage

Disaster Relief

Water Management

Emergency

Requirements
Enrolled wetland units will be fully flooded (minimum depth of 8 to 12 inches at outflow, dependent on geography) with no exposed mudflats on April 1, 2022, and then carry out a staged drawdown over four weeks:
- By April 15, 25-50% of the enrolled wetland unit(s) is mudflats
- By April 30, 75% of the enrolled wetland unit(s) is mudflats
- Allow access to wetland units for compliance and biological monitoring during the drawdown period
Ranking Criteria
- Applications will be ranked on duration of flooding, habitat quality, and total cost based on bid ($/acre)
    - Habitat Quality: Larger areas with sparse to no vegetation coverage may rank higher
    - Bid competitiveness: The amount requested (total cost ($/acre)
    - Size of wetland: Larger wetland units may rank higher

List of Ducks Unlimited Funding Opportunities