The restoration of former farmland in Cheyenne Bottoms, Kansas, is an important ecological effort aimed at reversing the population decline of shorebirds. Managed by the Kansas chapter of the Nature Conservancy, the project focuses on transforming roughly 1,000 acres of land back into a wetland habitat. By digging pits that will fill with rainwater, the restoration seeks to create shallow pools ideal for migratory shorebirds, which depend on such environments.
Cheyenne Bottoms, the largest wetland in the interior U.S., is a crucial stopover point for millions of birds during their migration. However, drought and habitat loss have made it difficult for many bird species to survive. The project’s goal is to create a mosaic of diverse vegetation and food sources to support a variety of wildlife. The drought, while challenging, also plays a role in the wetland’s renewal by breaking down plant material, which, when followed by rain, fuels a burst of invertebrate life that birds thrive on. This initiative underscores the delicate balance between drought and biodiversity in wetland ecosystems.