WYLDLIFE FOR TOMORROW

South Park Wetlands Enhancement

Nestled along the Snake River south of Jackson is the South Park Wildlife Habitat Management Area (WHMA), a beautiful spot that provides important wetland, riparian, and meadow habitat for a wide array of wildlife. Songbirds and amphibians can be found among the cottonwood galleries, while shorebirds and waterfowl inhabit the marshes, which are also important migration stopovers for waterbirds.

Image: Mark Gocke

Unfortunately, this WHMA has been cut off from its natural connection to seasonal floods, which trigger important ecosystem restoration processes. To maintain a healthy wetlands ecosystem, the goal of this project is to enhance the WHMA by converting fields into shallow-water wetlands and reconnecting old channel scars in the cottonwood galleries to the Snake River. These efforts will raise the water table and provide more habitat for migrating waterbirds. Additionally, the project will install new infrastructure in the wetland ponds, which filter water from the Jackson Wastewater Treatment Plant before the water reaches Flat Creek.

The budget for this project is approximately $1 million, and WYldlife for Tomorrow is proud to have donated $25,000 towards its completion.

This project is being conducted in partnership with Ducks Unlimited, Inc., Environmental Protection Agency, Friends of Jackson Hole, North American Wetland Conservation Act, Teton County Conservation District, The Nature Conservancy, Water For Wildlife Foundation, Town of Jackson, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Wyoming Water Development Commission, and Wyoming Wildlife Natural Resources Trust.

The riparian floodplain gallery along the Snake River. Water will be diverted into the existing channel scars in this area, and rock checks will be added to help raise water onto the floodplain during migration season.

Fall flyfishing in Flat Creek on the South Park WHMA.

Western Tanagers thrive in riparian areas such as the South Park WHMA.

Sandhill Cranes are among many species benefiting from wetlands enhancement.

Enhancement work includes converting fields into shallow water wetlands for seasonal (spring and fall) waterfowl and wetland-associated bird habitat. High-density foraging areas are essential for birds migrating to breeding grounds.

Existing permanent ponds serve as breeding areas for Trumpeter Swans and many species of waterfowl and wetland associated birds. Improvements will allow better management and control of water and vegetation in these ponds, which receive treated water inputs from the Jackson Waste Water Treatment Plant.

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THE WYLDLIFE FUND
PO Box 890
Buffalo, WY 82834

The WYldlife Fund is a non-profit 501(c)3.
EIN: 83-2290091

Wildlife Crossings
Education
Habitat
Our Story
Contact

THE WYLDLIFE FUND
PO Box 890, Buffalo, WY 82834

The WYldlife Fund is a non-profit 501(c)3.
EIN: 83-2290091