Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program--Our Partners

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Partners for Fish and Wildlife Works--
With Individual Landowners

Reestablishing native plants benefits butterflies.

You don't have to be a farmer or rancher, or represent a tribe, corporation or school. Even if you only have a few acres, restoring your land can make a difference for wildlife. Here's an example of a man who is making a difference in Texas.

A Creek for Critters*

Not everyone in Texas owns a large, sprawling ranch. Small acreage landowners can make a difference for wildlife too. Gordon Latzko is proof of that.

After spending months cleaning up trash left by a previous landowner, Mr. Latzko was ready to start improving the wildlife habitat on his 16-acre tract of land, name Critter Creek. He discovered the Partners Program in 1994, and embarked on a series of habitat improvement projects. through the Partners Program, Mr. Latzko has established four small emergent wetlands, totaling approximately four acres on his land. He also enhanced a remnant of native prairie. Because of his tireless efforts, thousands of migratory birds stop over at Citter Creek every year.

In 1996, Mr. Latzko was a runner-up for the Environmental Law Institute's prestigious Stewardship of the Year Award. That same year, he was honored as Conservationist of the Year in the 53-county Region Five of the North Central and Central Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

Gordon Latzko has enjoyed working with the Service and the Partners Program.

"I have been associated with conservation all my life," he said recently. "Of all the programs I have been involved with over the years, this is the most rewarding and landowner-friendly program of them all."

(*This example is based on an article written by Don Wilhelm and Mike McCollum in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife News, July/August/September 2001.)

Visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Home Page.

Last updated June 24, 2002.

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