An Iowa couple bought 40 acres choked with invasive plants; after discovering rare ecosystems beneath the overgrowth, they restored the land into wetlands attracting sandhill cranes | World News

What appeared to be a neglected field in Madison County, Iowa, concealed remnants of rare native ecosystems. When John and Sheri Paule bought the first 40 acres of their property, its hillsides were overrun with invasive vegetation, leaving little indication of what the landscape might once have been. Surviving bur oak trees, however, offered a clue that the land could have supported an oak savanna. A subsequent visit by an ecologist revealed remnants of a sedge meadow, wet meadow and a transition zone between habitats. The discovery reshaped the couple’s conservation efforts. Working with the US Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and other specialists, they began restoring wetlands and protecting native habitats across a landscape spanning more than 300 acres.

How an Iowa couple discovered rare ecosystems beneath invasive plants

When the Paules first assessed their property from the road, the land had little visual appeal. John Paule recalled that the hillsides were choked with multiflora rose, prickly ash and other invasive vegetation. The surviving bur oaks, however, suggested that an oak savanna might once have existed there.The ecological significance became clearer when Tom Rosburg, a biology professor at Drake University, visited the site. He identified remnants of a sedge meadow, wet meadow and a transition zone between habitats. These native ecosystems have become increasingly rare in Iowa, making their protection an important part of the restoration project.The discovery shifted the focus from clearing overgrowth to recovering the landscape’s ecological character. Rather than treating the property as simply an overgrown field, the Paules worked with conservation specialists to protect what remained and improve conditions for native plants and wildlife.

How the couple began restoring the wetlands

The restoration involved more than removing invasive plants. The Paules worked with NRCS and its conservation partners to improve wetland function, manage vegetation and develop a long-term plan for the property.An existing wetland easement had been enrolled in the Emergency Wetland Reserve Program in 1998. In 2023, the Iowa NRCS Easement Team worked with civil engineer Nick Campbell to design a meandering wetland restoration using stewardship funding under the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program’s Wetland Reserve Easements initiative.The specific wetland restoration covered approximately 70 acres. Restoration measures included native seeding and brush management, with the aim of improving habitat for wildlife such as sandhill cranes.NRCS provided technical guidance and helped develop a conservation plan to guide continued management. According to the agency, stewardship funding covered 100% of the construction, seeding and management costs incurred through this restoration process. This funding arrangement relates to the eligible costs of the project, not necessarily every expense associated with owning and managing the property.

Sandhill cranes and hundreds of blue-winged teal use the restored landscape

The restoration’s effects are visible in the wildlife using the property. Paule told NRCS that sandhill cranes use the restored wetlands, while red-headed woodpeckers regularly appear in the oak savanna.He also recalled an unusual sighting of hundreds of blue-winged teal remaining on the property for two or three weeks. He said the couple had not experienced such an occurrence before.These observations suggest that the restored habitats are being used by a variety of birds. However, the available account does not provide a formal before-and-after wildlife census, so the sightings should not be treated as evidence of a quantified increase in bird populations.The wetlands also retain water where it previously moved quickly through the landscape, while native vegetation continues to expand. Researchers, university classes and conservation professionals have visited the property to learn about its ecosystems and restoration work.The Paules’ project addresses a wider conservation challenge in Iowa, where extensive drainage and development have dramatically reduced the state’s original wetlands. According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, wetlands once covered approximately 4 million to 6 million acres of the state, and nearly 95% have been drained.Healthy wetlands can store floodwater, improve water quality, support groundwater recharge under suitable conditions and provide habitat for wildlife. Sedge meadows and wet meadows also support specialised plant communities that can be lost when water patterns change or invasive vegetation dominates.By improving wetland function and protecting native habitat remnants, the Paules are helping conserve ecological features that have become increasingly uncommon in the state. Their work also demonstrates how private landowners can collaborate with public conservation agencies and specialists to restore damaged landscapes.