Wetlands act as nature's kidneys, filtering out fertilizer runoff from farms, preventing flooding, and providing habitats for native plants and waterfowl. However, more than 90% of Ohio wetlands have been degraded through draining or filling, according to the Ohio EPA.
To address this, local farmer Bill Agle has restored about 10 acres of wetlands on his farm in Clark County through a USDA wetlands reserve program. The process took five years, but Agle says it was worth it.
The program aims to restore habitats for rare native plants and waterfowl and to make use of land that farmers would otherwise not farm. After the restoration and wetland easement is established, the farmer receives a payment for enrolling their land.
Wetland restorations have been seen as a way to mitigate chemical runoff from nearby farms into waterways. The restoration of wetlands has largely improved the water quality of Grand Lake St. Mary's in Auglaize County, which had been the site of harmful algae blooms.
By participating in the program, Agle has seen more wild birds and Ohio native flowers come back to his farm. The wetland restoration project in Clark County serves as a demonstration of the benefits of wetlands in managing runoff and improving water quality for local farmers.
Photo Credit: pexels-ron-lach
Categories: Ohio, General