When the weather warms up this spring and migrating waterfowl return, Jayden Jech will be busy traversing the state monitoring how they are using wetlands constructed on the edges of farm fields.
Jech, a graduate student in wildlife ecology, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Thamodaran Family Innovation in Agriculture Student Award. Each year, the award is presented to an undergraduate or graduate student in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences working on an innovative scientific, technological or business idea related to a grand challenge in agriculture.
The grand challenge Jech is investigating is how wetlands help water, wildlife and farmers. Specifically, his study is looking at whether and to what extent constructed wetlands on privately owned land in Iowa benefit birds, specifically waterfowl and Trumpeter swans. He will consider reasons why waterfowl are selecting constructed wetlands, then compare findings with other types of wetlands. His findings will be used to make recommendations for future constructed wetland areas that can maximize benefits for water quality and wildlife.
“I’m looking forward to making connections with Iowa landowners and tackling the challenges associated with providing beneficial spaces for Iowa’s waterfowl,” Jech said. “This award will be important in supporting my research by providing opportunities to expand public engagement and education components focused on sharing findings with the scientific community and farmers.”
Read the entire press release here.