DU restoring and protecting habitat in Nebraska
Through its revolving land efforts, DU continues to restore and protect habitat in Nebraska. DU purchases tracts, restores them, protects the property with conservation easements, and then sells them to a conservation buyer, generally within five years. DU uses funds from the sale to purchase additional wetland properties and begin the cycle again. While owned by DU, these properties are open to the public.
A recent example is the Fillmore County, 112-acre Ohiowa-Olbut tract containing a large rainwater basin. Protecting Rainwater Basin wetlands is essential as millions of spring-staging waterfowl, shorebirds and other waterbirds depend on them. Less than 30 percent of these wetlands remain, with many under constant threat of draining or detrimental changes to hydrology.
Wetland enhancements are also in progress along the Platte River.