Illinois Success Story

Habitat An Oasis in the Cornfields

By: Jill Creamean, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist
November 2002

Ray Goosens enrolled 21.7 acres into the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) in 2002 to attract wildlife and provide an oasis of habitat in an area of central Mercer County dominated with row crops. NRCS District Conservationist Jason Hessman has worked with Goosens to provide NRCS engineering design and cost share assistance for a shallow water area. Hessman also works with NRCS and Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Biologists to plan and design shrub plantings, field windbreaks, native grass and forb plantings, and a hardwood establishment for Goosens’ property.

Goosens takes pride in his project to provide high quality habitat for a variety of wildlife. "My goal is to create a wildlife sanctuary," said Goosens, a Henry County Deputy who finds the site to be a sanctuary for himself as well. "I want my 11-month old daughter to grow up appreciating the nature and wildlife that God created."

By 2003, the ¾ acre shallow water area will be constructed according to NRCS standards. A low profile levee and water control structure will be installed to manage water levels and stimulate the germination of water loving plants. Seeds of many wetland plant species can lie dormant in the soil seed bank for years. Over time, native wetland plants will naturally germinate and re-colonize. Migratory waterfowl will find Goosen’s property a hospitable place to visit. Over the next few years, Goosens will plant shrubs, grasses and trees and witness his barren property’s transformation into high quality wildlife habitat with food and water sources for a variety of species including pheasants, wild turkey, deer, and quail.

NRCS and Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) staff will continue to provide Goosens with technical assistance to maintain quality habitat over the years. NRCS/SWCD staff will provide guidance on activities such as controlled burning to maintain vigorous grass stands and will help secure equipment, such as tree planters, native grass drills and burn equipment through the SWCD and wildlife groups.

"I think WHIP is a great program. I wish more people would take this opportunity to provide habitat for wildlife," Goosens said.

Goosens and his family will enjoy the natural areas and wildlife habitat for years to come. But the benefits of this project and others like it reach far beyond the landowner. Portions of Goosens’ WHIP project were once highly erodible cropland. With the establishment of grasses, shrubs and trees, the soil will be protected from erosion and area streams will be spared the associated sediment- and nutrient- laden runoff. The shallow water area will filter pollutants and nutrients from runoff flowing from surrounding cropland, improving water quality in the watershed. With WHIP, Ray Goosens has found technical and financial assistance to improve his property for wildlife and protect our soil and water resources.