Wetlands Reserve Program Enhances Wildlife Habitat in Elloree, SC

"One man's trash, is a wood duck's treasure," is a twist on a popular phrase--one that may be well deserved when describing Burden "William" Bookhart of Elloree, SC. After discovering that 17 acres of his cropland was too low and moist to grow crops, Bookhart enrolled his acreage into the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), with the assistance of former NRCS District Conservationist Bethel DuRant and current District Conservationist Frank Stephens of Orangeburg County. By installing a dike on his land, Bookhart created a natural wetland habitat for waterfowl and other wetland wildlife.

Bookhart Farms is an 1,800 acre farm that produces corn, soybean, wheat, oats, and cotton, and has been in the family for several generations. Historically, the 17 acres Bookhart enrolled into WRP was always low and wet. It was drained, however, in the 1950’s and 60’s, with hopes of using it for cropland. But, as the years passed, crops continued to fail, and in 1999 the Bookhart’s decided to convert the land back to its original state. "I've always been interested in wildlife and wetlands, and I wanted to see my land enrolled in a program that would benefit wildlife," stated Bookhart.

To convert the acreage back to a wetland, a 3-foot dike (an earthen structure stacked on top of the ground) was installed around the wetland to hold the water. However, there is a 5-foot deep ditch surrounding the dike to prevent runoff from the wetland entering cropland or fields.

Previously, drought and hot summers prevented water and moisture from staying in the wetland, but, water has now settled in the area. This newly created habitat attracts many species of wildlife and waterfowl, including great blue herrings, a woodstork, bald eagles, wood ducks, blue and green wing teals, snow geese and bull frogs. These animals feed on native grass and bull grass found in the wetland, as well as aquatic invertebrates that develop in the water.

"WRP is a conservation effort to restore the wetlands ecosystem," explained Stephens. "Through William's strong conservation effort, he has succeeded in providing a natural wetland habitat."

In the future, Bookhart hopes the wetland continues to supply a food source for wintering birds in search of a home. "I'm currently looking for more low, wet acreage to enroll in WRP," stated Bookhart.

"The program helps create a natural environment for waterfowl and wildlife and I hope to see more farmers get involved."