MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY CHAPTER UPDATES
By, Ron Kaufman

The Mississippi Flyway Chapter of Waterfowl USA recently partnered in on a  project to kill invasive cattails.  Cattails are a monoculture that inhibits other plants that are more beneficial to a marsh.  Cattails commonly fill in marshes and reduce open water areas in wetlands.  The Iowa DNR Wildlife

 Division developed a plan to control the cattails in two marshes that it manages.  An ag spray plane was used to apply approved chemicals to kill dense areas of cattails at Green Island Wildlife Management Area and Goose Lake Wildlife Management Area.  Green Island Management Area is 3637 acres which is half marsh and is near Green Island Iowa.  The Goose Lake Management Area is 370 acres and is near Goose Lake Iowa.

 While curbing the growth of cattails is not permanent it will help open areas for waterfowl and wildlife.  The Waterfowl USA chapter donated to the cost of spraying and has been a partner in both properties before on nesting projects and land acquisitions.   The chapter previously donated to help purchase an additional 40 acres at the Goose Lake Wildlife Area and two years ago the chapter donated to purchase more upland habitat at the Green Island unit.  Both areas are open to public hunting and trapping.

 A plan to excavate the north end of Goose Lake will be executed whenever a dry period permits.  The Mississippi Flyway chapter has been asked to help financially when that project takes place.