Teton Basin Wetlands Restoration Projects

A Ducks Unlimited, Private Landowner partnership with the Teton Regional Land Trust

Teton Valley is a priority waterfowl area, providing significant breeding and rearing habitat for more than 25 species. Wetlands and waterways are frequented by colorful and varied waterfowl, such as the wood duck, ruddy duck, canvasback, northern shoveler, green-winged teal, and trumpeter swan. Shorebirds like the willet, American avocet, great blue heron, American bittern and sora rail also benefit from the resources of protected properties.

Kirk Teton Creek
The Kirk property contains portions of Teton and Dick creeks, wetlands, and significant wildlife and scenic resources. The property is covered in willows, aspen, and sedge meadows. With this conservation easement, donated by the Kirk Family, the Teton Regional Land Trust has protected more than 1,000 acres along Teton Creek and its spring creek tributaries.

In addition to protecting the current resources of their property, the Kirks are working with Ducks Unlimited and the Land Trust to enhance waterfowl habitat. This restoration project is evaluating the property for shallow ponds to increase nesting, foraging and rearing areas for migrating waterfowl.

Cooke Warm Creek
The Cooke's Warm Creek Ranch in southern Teton Basin contains portions of Warm Creek, several spring creeks and ponds. The Cooke Family protected the natural and agricultural resources of 320 acres of their ranch with a conservation easement in 2000. The family has agreed to work with the Land Trust and Ducks Unlimited to restore 50 acres of the ranch into choice waterfowl habitat. This project was made possible by a grant from the North American Wetlands Conservation Council.

Klausmann Pond
In the bottomlands along the Teton River, the Klausmann family designed a 30-acre shallow pond for waterfowl brooding on their 350-acre property. The open water and restoration of native wetland plants on this site makes it a hot spot for wetland wildlife. Many ducks, geese, shorebirds and swans use the pond.