About the Project

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance and Waushara County are turning fields into filters with habitat restoration and conservation in the Willow and Hatton Creek Watersheds.

By taking marginal land out of production, we are able to reduce pollution heading to Lake Poygan, create habitat and forage for wildlife, and take steps towards meeting our water quality goals.

Check out our project’s goals:

Slowing, storing, and treating 3,077,872 gallons of stormwater runoff, stopping 64 pounds of phosphorus and 23 tons of sediment from entering Lake Poygan every year
Turn marginal farmland into productive, biodiverse wetlands and prairies to improve water quality and provide wildlife habitat
Develop 3 habitat demonstration sites and educational materials to show what’s possible

What’s the Problem?

low-yielding acres and nutrient runoff

Not every acre of farmland produces the same results. While some acres of fields have high yields year after year, others struggle to grow a profitable crop. These low-performing acres are known as marginal land. These acres are often too wet or dry to grow a good crop and cost more to farm than what they profit.

When farmed traditionally, tilled in fall and spring, then left bare over winter, these acres can contribute high loads of algae-fueling nutrient and sediment runoff to our waters.

That’s why we’re partnering with farmers to identify marginal land and convert it to perennial cover. By planting deep-rooted, permanent vegetation, we can turn these field acres into natural filters that reduce runoff, improve soil health, and protect local waterways.

This approach not only supports cleaner water – it also saves farmers time, inputs, and money by focusing management on their most productive acres.

Learn more about wetland restoration →

Project Location

Though close to Lake Poygan, the water in the Hatton Creek and its watershed take a trip north and drain into the Wolf River before heading into Lake Poygan. The Hatton Creek Watershed is part of the larger Wolf River Basin.

The Willow Creek Watershed is a part of the Winnebago Waterways Recovery Area (WWRA). The WWRA is a section of the larger Upper Fox-Wolf Basin. The watersheds within the WWRA drain directly into the Winnebago Pool Lakes – Lake Poygan, Winneconne, Butte des Morts, and largest, Winnebago.

Water in the Willow Creek Watershed is in a unique position due to how close it is to Lake Poygan, which it drains directly to.

landowner spotlight

Shelly & Scott Christie

Native Plants and Wildlife

Shelly and Scott Christie own and operate Graziano Gardens, a garden center in rural Waushara County, WI. As a landscape designer and plant lover, Shelly always tells her clients that you have to put the right plant in the right spot. The same is true for their agricultural land as well.

The Christie’s will be moving about 20 acres of marginal farmland into wildlife habitat. While those marginal acres may not grow a good crop, they will be perfect for habitat.

They’re goals? Provide an oasis for native plants (and wildlife) while protecting water. Scott’s an avid hunter, and wants to see more deer, while Shelly is excited to see wildlife and plants of all kinds call their parcel home. The Christie’s have many artisan wells and a creek that runs through their property. They want to be sure that they’re doing their part to keep that water healthy.

Video Coming Soon