Shallow Water Wetlands for Migrating Waterfowl in Western CO
Christa Brown, RiversEdge West, Grand Junction, CO
Wetlands offer ecological benefits such as storing water, improving water quality,
sequestering carbon and providing habitat for wildlife. Although they make up just 1.5% of
Colorado’s land area, wetlands support a disproportionately high number of species and provide critical stopover habitat for migratory birds. However, due to escalating drought and development pressures, wetlands are now vanishing, making their restoration a critical line of defense for wildlife, river, and floodplain health.
On Colorado’s Western Slope, private landowner Steve Bittle envisioned creating a
seasonal wetland to support native wildlife and enhance waterfowl hunting. In 2022, he
connected with RiversEdge West (REW), a nonprofit focused on riparian restoration, through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). REW worked closely with the Bittle Family, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), and Ducks Unlimited to bring the vision to life.
Attendees will gain insight into the design and development of a 3.75-acre shallow water wetland created to support migratory birds. The presentation will highlight the project’s funding partnerships, planning and design process, on-the-ground implementation, and the successful completion of a functional shallow wetland. We will also explore seasonal management strategies essential to maintaining wetland health and maximizing use by migratory waterfowl. As REW’s first shallow water wetland project on private land in the Grand Valley, this effort offers valuable lessons and a replicable model for future conservation initiatives.