Daryl Thompson, a Walworth County, South Dakota, agricultural producer, enrolled approximately 120 acres in CRP along Swan Creek and is establishing a relative new practice: CP30, Marginal Pastureland Wetland Buffer.

The acreage has great wildlife value and erosion control potential. It shows the positive results that occur when grazing is restricted from an area. Greg Stoebner, Pheasants Forever Habitat Specialist, observes that the area will naturally regenerate and will provide a good example of critical area healing.

The Marginal Pastureland Wetland Buffer provides great loafing, crowing, and some nesting cover for upland birds and waterfowl. It also provides great cover for deer, small furry mammals, and amphibians. In a few years the area will provide riparian woody habitat.

Daryl has also set aside more acreage not included in the CRP contract for future wildlife habitat projects and food plots.

Buffalo graze on nearby land not enrolled in the CRP.

Daryl Thompson devoted acreage along Swan Creek to CRP marginal pastureland wetland buffer.

Within a few short years, CRP-protected area will develop into a woody riparian buffer, providing water quality benefits as well as wildlife habitat.

Restricted grazing was a key component of the marginal pastureland wetland buffer installed by Daryl Thompson. The practice promotes natural regeneration of vegetation and critical area healing.

CRP marginal pastureland wetland buffer provides great loafing, crowing, and some nesting cover for upland birds and waterfowl. Deer, small furry mammals, and amphibians also find excellent habitat.

Although evidence of previous grazing remains, vegetation has begun to regenerate on acreage along Swan Creek now enrolled in CRP.

Thompson examines vegetation returning around wetland area.

Vivid example of the difference restricted grazing can make: area outside fence (background) is still subject to grazing. Area inside fence (foreground) is enrolled in CRP, and vegetation is beginning to regenerate and diversify.