Wetlands used to dominate much of the Iowa landscape, serving as nature's sponge helping recycle nutrients, recharge groundwater and reduce flooding. Early pioneers had reported more than 200 prairie pothole wetlands per square mile in northern Iowa.

"By the 1980s, we lost 95% of our original wetland acres and the benefits they provide," says Jay Mar, state conservationist for USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service in Iowa.

Iowa landowners began restoring and protecting wetlands more than 20 years ago through the USDA-NRCS Wetlands Reserve Program. Iowa now ranks 10th in the nation in the number of WRP acres.

RESTORING IOWA WETLANDS: A link between land and water, wetlands are the transition zones where flow of water, recycling of nutrients and energy of the sun meet to produce a unique ecosystem. Wetlands are valuable for people, too. They filter pollutants from upland runoff, help control flooding, and maintain populations of wildlife.

This summer Iowa landowners will reach the milestone of enrolling 165,000 acres in various USDA wetland restoration financial assistance programs including WRP, the Emergency Wetlands Reserve Program and the Emergency Watershed Protection Program-Flood Plain Easements. USDA in Iowa has invested more than $300 million in wetland restoration easements since the 1990s.

Wetlands provide a natural filter system to reduce nutrient loading of rivers and streams

"These acres play key roles in supporting our state's efforts to reduce nutrient loading of Iowa's rivers and streams as well as reducing the potential for flooding," says Mar. "Wetlands also provide habitat for the majority of Iowa's endangered species."

Anyone who is interested is welcome to join NRCS, local landowners and the Floyd County Soil and Water Conservation District in northeast Iowa as Iowa celebrates this landmark accomplishment of reaching 165,000 wetland acres in these programs. The event will be held July 9 at 6 p.m. on two family farms near Charles City.

In addition to opening comments from NRCS state conservationist Jay Mar, several landowners will discuss their decisions to restore wetlands on their farm, and how that decision has benefited their farming operations. This event will be held in conjunction with a Conservation Buffers Field Day sponsored by Trees Forever, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Pheasants Forever and the Floyd County NRCS office. Light refreshments will be served.~~~PAGE_BREAK_HERE~~~

When: Tuesday, July 9, 2013, 6:00 p.m.

Where: Jung and Savage Family Farms, 1466 Timber Ave., Charles City, Iowa

Directions: From Charles City take County Road T64 (Shadow Ave.) north to County Road B33 (155th St.). Turn right and take the next left/ north on Timber Ave. Go about a mile north and the Jung and Savage Farms are on the right, 1466 Timber Ave.

For more information: Contact Laura Crowell, NRCS state public affairs officer at the NRCS state office in Des Moines at 515-323-2207.

What are the benefits of restoring wetlands? There are many, says NRCS

Wetlands provide an abundance of benefits to the environment, society and the landowner. As listed by USDA/NRCS, some advantages of restored wetlands:

* Provide wildlife habitat — many species of waterfowl, birds and other wildlife depend on wetland habitat for breeding, nesting and feeding. Wetlands in the U.S. support about 190 species of amphibians, 5,000 plant species, and a third of all native bird species.

* Supply water and prevent floods — wetlands are reservoirs for rainwater and runoff. They reduce peak water flow after storms, and recharge ground water supplies as they release water into the ground.

* Improve water quality — wetlands provide natural pollution control by removing excess agricultural chemicals, such as pesticides and fertilizers from surface waters. They may also be an important part of an efficient alternative for human and animal waste treatment.

* Reduce sediment delivery — by slowing the overland flow of water, wetlands reduce soil erosion along water courses. Some riverine wetlands and adjacent floodplains form natural floodways that slow water flows downstream. Wetlands filter and collect sediment from runoff water, helping reduce sedimentation in lakes and reservoirs.

* Biodiversity protection— wetlands support a diversity of species and many of the species are unique and rare. Among the vast diversity are many plant species used for food, drugs and other commodities.

* Recreation opportunities — wetlands provide excellent hunting, trapping, bird watching, canoeing, and other recreation opportunities. They can be one of the most beautiful features of any landscape.

* Economics — farming frequently flooded and saturated or poorly drained areas can be expensive; the best economic choice may be to set aside a wet area as a wetland.

* Generate farm income — several programs offer financial incentives for restoring wetlands. The wetland may also be leased to hunters.