CONSERVATION OF WATERFOWL 57 



We have two tools that we may use in carrying out a restoration 

 program for our migratory waterfowl. One is the preservation of ex- 

 isting marshes, restoration of destroyed areas, and improvement of win- 

 tering environment for the species; and the other is adequate regula- 

 tion of the kill. 



We must always keep in mind that approximately a hundred million 

 acres of land have been drained on the North American continent in the 

 past fifty to seventy-five years. In simple language this means that we 

 cannot build or maintain as large populations of waterfowl as formerly 

 existed. The permanent loss of nesting places included in that hundred 

 million acres puts a definite limit on the total to which the population 

 can be raised. We can overcome that handicap only in so far as these 

 drained marshes can be restored or replaced. 



Both the Canadian and the United States governments have been 

 busy in the restoration of environment. Canada has built many thou- 

 sand small reservoirs to hold water in the Prairie Provinces. Many of 

 these contribute materially to the safety and welfare of waterfowl. Pro- 

 vincial and private organizations have restored or developed other areas, 

 some of them of primary importance for the more southern breeding 

 birds. The United States government, in the course of a 12-year 

 program, greatly accentuated in the past six, has restored or developed 

 vast marsh and water areas for the use of migratory waterfowl through- 

 out the country. This effort has gone steadily ahead until between three 

 and one-half and four million acres of land either have been developed 

 or are under development for the benefit of the birds. 



The program has included restoration of breeding grounds in the 

 northern States, provision of nesting and feeding areas on the principal 

 migration routes, and the improvement and restoration of winter resorts. 

 All of these objectives are of equal importance and no continental pro- 

 gram to insure perpetuation of the waterfowl can succeed without every 

 one of them. 



The accompanying map showing the location of the present Federal 

 waterfowl refuges gives some idea of the extent of this conservation ac- 

 tivity in the United States. It does not include many State refuges 

 that have been, or are being, developed nor those maintained by cities, 

 local organizations or individuals. The total acreage of all refuges is 

 becoming large enough, however, to be an effective factor in the protec- 

 tion of the birds. 



Along with refuge development an important activity of that part 

 of the Fish and Wildlife Service that was formerly the Biological Survey, 

 has been prevention of destruction of certain marshes. We have not 

 always been successful, but there are millions of acres of marsh lands 

 in existence today that would have been drained and destroyed if it had 

 not been for this effort. 



To one understanding the waterfowl situation, the map reveals 

 that there are still great gaps in the refuge system. There is great need 

 for additional wintering grounds, particularly in Texas and California; 



