Waterfowl stopping over in the Rainwater Basin region during spring migration are looking for two basic resources, food and water. Since playa wetlands are strictly rain-fed, aside from some groundwater pumping on a few public properties, we have little control over how much water is available for waterfowl each year.
Starting in spring 2020, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission initiated a new monitoring program to learn more about Nebraska’s greater prairie-chicken and sharp-tailed grouse populations and how best to conserve them. The Rainwater Basin Joint Venture partnership has worked closely with NGPC to help develop a methodology and framework
The Rainwater Basin Wetland Complex (RWB) in Nebraska is the focal point of spring waterfowl migration. Each spring, millions of ducks and geese stopover in this region during their northward migration. Based on population objectives and waterfowl foraging requirements, the Rainwater Basin Joint Venture (RWBJV) estimates 60,000 acres of wetland
Newly published research suggests that vegetated buffers can help reduce the amount of neonicotinoid pesticides in Rainwater Basin wetlands. Researchers collected water samples from 26 wetlands in spring 2015 to measure amounts of a number of neonicotinoid pesticides and invertebrate communities. Results reported in “Neonicotinoid insecticide concentrations in agricultural wetlands
Playas are shallow, rain-fed wetlands that provide crucial ecosystem services, such as wildlife habitat, flood control, and aquifer recharge, throughout the Rainwater Basin in Central Nebraska and the High Plains in Southwest Nebraska. In addition to threats such as sedimentation and invasive species, playas may also be vulnerable to changes
Background The Working Lands Initiative (WLI) was embraced by the Rainwater Basin Joint Venture (RWBJV) in 2010. Its goal is to increase the value of the remaining Rainwater Basin wetlands by stepping up grazing on them. If done correctly, grazing on wetlands can be an economically viable component of
The Joint Venture concept was initially described in the first North American Waterfowl Plan (NAWMP) in 1986. The original NAWMP was an innovative document completed in cooperation between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Canadian Wildlife Service. For the first time, stakeholders collaborated to establish a set of
The 2019 RWBJV Informational Seminar was the 24th in a long line of useful and enjoyable seminars. The Seminar, with its plenary, tracked presentations, awards, exhibitors and networking opportunities had something for everyone. In this post, you will hear about its appeal from a landowner, an exhibitor, a graduate student,
The 24th annual Rainwater Basin Joint Venture Informational Seminar was held February 7, 2019 in Grand Island, Nebraska. This year’s seminar focused on projects and issues across the entire RWBJV Administrative Area including, and expanding beyond, the Rainwater Basin Wetland Complex. The plenary session highlighted the North American Waterfowl Management
Join landowners, agricultural producers, conservation professionals, congressional staff, researchers, and students for a day of education and networking about conservation in Nebraska. The 24th annual Rainwater Basin Joint Venture Informational Seminar will be held on Thursday, February 7, 2019 at the Ramada Midtown Grand Island (the former Hotel Grand Conference Center)
