Historically, the Central Hardwoods had a very diverse array of wetlands associated with the large river systems of the Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, White, Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, but all are now impounded at one or more locations along their reaches. Most shallow and/or temporary wetlands associated with grasslands and karst plains have been drained, but CHJV partners are protecting and restoring them through private lands incentive programs, and grants programs such as those associated with the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (see: CHJV NAWCA grants through 2018) Despite the loss of wetlands, though, it appears we have enough food available to sustain waterfowl through fall and winter (CHJV DED analysis). One of our highest priority species, the Cerulean Warbler, occurs in very high densities in riparian forests along some unimpounded Ozark rivers (see Reidy et al 2011 and Thompson et al). CHJV partner American Bird Conservancy has been working with the Conservation Fund to protect land along the Current River in Missouri to help reduce the threat of fragmentation of these habitats.