Episode 069: How to Create a Wetland Without a Water Source

No matter where you live, whether it’s wet or dry, whether it’s hot or cold, small or large property, rocky or fertile, high altitude or sea level, there are five steps of habitat restoration that you can apply.

1) Eliminate overgrazing

2) Slow down the movement of water

3) Cultivate native species

4) Control or eradicate invasive species

5) Introduce absent native species

The details about how to apply these steps may have some variations based on your particular climate or location, but they still apply. On our property, we’ve seen huge success by excluding feral horses from the property, allowing the native shrubs and grasses to recover. To slow down the flow of water, we have built contour swales and weirs. This process has stopped erosion, and conserved precipitation by sending it underground. With a little help, a variety of native shrubs and grasses have taken hold, providing biomass for compost and thatch cover as well as habitat cover and food for small animals. We’re making progress controlling feral horses and cheatgrass, which are our two most destructive invasive species. Finally, we have planted a variety of native trees and shrubs, which will provide not only wildlife habitat, but also provide additional biomass and shade.

The measures we’ve taken have already started to make noticeable differences as the land heals itself. We’ve seen the return of many native species of birds, mammals, and insects. Within the next couple seasons, we should start seeing some of the artesian springs on the property come back to life after decades of being totally dry. Those sources of flowing water will completely transform the property.

Listen to the episode for WAY more detail on each of these points.