Projects and Research
Since the mid 90鈥檚 the USFWS and cooperators have begun converting farm fields to wetlands and then back again. This rotation of farm to wetland/and back mimics the creation and destruction of wetlands that used to occur along the edges of a naturally fluctuating Tule Lake. Fields are typically flooded soon after harvest and by fall they become habitat for migrating waterfowl. After 2 years, following the wetland cycling, fields are returned to agricultural production. Known as 鈥渨alking wetlands鈥�, this practice has dramatically increased wildlife use and enhanced crop production while eliminating the need for pesticides. This practice has also been adopted on neighboring private farmland.