by Jolene Bopp, Public Affairs Specialist, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Des Moines, Iowa

Land stewards John and Sheri Paule took a chance on a dilapidated row crop field riddled with invasive species in Madison County. From the hilltop, the Paules could see the North River watershed stretching below them and they saw the potential for something special. Little did they know beneath the invasive vegetation lay remnants of some of Iowa's rarest native ecosystems.

"When we bought the first 40 acres that we're standing on right now, and you would look at it from the road, there was no curb appeal at all," John Paule said. "The hillsides were choked with multiflora rose, prickly ash and other invasive vegetation. We could see the crowns of these bur oaks, which said maybe there's a savanna there."

For the Paules, restoring their property became more than a conservation project. It became a commitment to protecting what remained while helping nature recover.

Working with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and conservation partners, the Paules have spent years restoring wetlands, improving wildlife habitat and protecting rare native ecosystems across more than 300 acres in Madison County. Through conservation planning, engineering and long-term stewardship, the property has become an example of how restoring wetland function benefits both the land and the wildlife that depend on it.

A Rare Discovery

As restoration work began, the Paules realized they owned something far more than an overgrown field. During a site visit, Drake University professor Dr. Tom Rosburg identified remnants of a sedge meadow, wet meadow and transition zone tucked beneath invasive vegetation. These native ecosystems are increasingly rare in Iowa and reshaped the restoration strategy.

"There aren’t many sedge meadows or wetlands left," John said. "We want to protect what we've got."

Wetlands are among Iowa’s most valuable natural resources. They store floodwater, improve water quality, recharge groundwater and provide habitat for countless species of wildlife. Yet more than a century of drainage and development has left only a fraction of the state’s original wetlands.

Restoring Wetland Function

The Paules partnered with NRCS through a stewardship restoration project associated with an existing wetland easement enrolled in the Emergency Wetland Reserve Program (EWRP) in 1998. They restored approximately 70 acres, improving the long-term health of the property.

In 2023, the Iowa NRCS Easement Team worked with NRCS Civil Engineer Nick Campbell to design a meandering wetland restoration using Agricultural Conservation Easement Program - Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE) stewardship funds. They developed an array of wildlife habitats and seeded the spoil areas with a native seed mix to align with the hydric soils that are present to out compete Reed Canary Grass. The stewardship funding covers 100 percent of the construction, seeding and management costs that are incurred during this process. 

NRCS created a topographic model and evaluated existing soils, vegetation and elevations to understand how water naturally moved across the landscape before years of alteration changed its course. 

For Campbell, the project presented a unique opportunity. “It is easy to get excited about a project when the landowner is involved and passionate about conservation,” said Campbell. “I am proud that NRCS could deliver a great product that accomplished the landowners’ goals while being able to restore wetland biology and hydrology to the area. It took a team with a variety of specialists to provide this level of restoration.” Typically, the goal of stewardship is to take a functional wetland to the next level by using native seeding, brush management, or like this example, an enhanced wetland area for species like the Sandhill Crane. NRCS provided technical guidance throughout the project, helping the Paules develop a conservation plan that continues to guide management today.

Wildlife Returns

The results are evident throughout the property. Wetlands now hold water where they once moved quickly through the landscape. Native vegetation continues to expand, and wildlife has responded.

“We’ve got a population of red-headed woodpeckers that show up in the savanna all the time,” John said. “We’ve got Sandhill Cranes that use these wetlands. We had blue-winged teal that hung around here for two or three weeks, hundreds of them. We’ve never had that.”

The property has also become a destination for researchers, university classes and conservation professionals interested in native ecosystems and wetland restoration. Continued monitoring is helping document plant diversity while informing future management.

Stewardship is Ongoing

For the Paules, restoration was never about reaching a finish line. Managing invasive species and maintaining wetland habitat remain essential parts of caring for the land. Stewardship requires ongoing planning, management and a willingness to adapt as the landscape changes.

“Restoring it and then keeping it restored takes ongoing and active management,” John said. “It’s work. It takes time. It takes resources. And if you stop, it’s just going to go back to the way it was when you found it.”

Today, the property continues to evolve. As wetlands mature and native plants become established, the restoration serves as a reminder that conservation is not a one-time project but an ongoing investment.

Landowners interested in restoring wetlands or learning more about the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program’s Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE) can contact their local USDA Service Center to explore available conservation options.

More Photos