Many species of birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles take advantage of the wetland habitat created by rice farmers, making rice a unique agricultural crop. Rice fields provide food and cover resources that were lost when natural marsh and other wetlands were drained during settlement. Lying along critical flyways, winter-flooded rice fields provide vital resting and foraging habitat for migratory and wintering waterfowl.

ATTENTION: Conservation May be Habitat Forming
... and America's wildlife couldn't be happier.

Listen: Conservation May Be Habitat Forming (WMA) Read: Conservation May Be Habitat Forming (PDF) Watch: Rice Fields, Waterfowl and Wildlife (WMV)

Resources:

• USA Rice's Sustainable Agriculture
• Conservation in Ricelands of North America
• California Rice Commission
• Louisiana Master Farmer Program
• USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service
• USDA - Farm Service Agency's Conservation Programs