The cost-benefit of wetland restoration has been studied extensively and is overwhelmingly beneficial. The USDA has spent more than $4.2 billion on wetland restoration and protection over the last two decades (USDA, 2015). Wetland restoration plays a key role in combating the declining population. In order to save this fragile species, action needs to be taken now...before it is too late. 

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Today, agricultural industries are learning how to coexist with this native species. Smart urban planning and hyper-effective farming methods are becoming more and more prevalent. Agricultural producers are using strategies like vertical farming which requires far-less landmass by yielding 50 times the produce typically achieved per square foot of a conventional farm. They also require much less water by only using 5% of what a typical conventional farm uses (VFI, 2018). If farms were to transition to more innovative farming, Tricolored Blackbirds and farmers could form mutualistic relationships where farmers would benefit from insect control and blackbirds would benefit from insect consumption.  

 

The environmental and economic benefits of reducing climate change, exceeds the cost of wetland rehabilitation (Hansen et al., 2015). Wetlands restoration programs help with a natural form of carbon sequestration which is key to the health improvement of the wetlands. The removal of nitrogen and sediments from water runoff has a cost range from $20 to $36 per million gallons of treated water. When excess nitrogen caused by agriculture is removed, the affected ecosystem is brought back to equilibrium which helps to stabilize the fragile Tricolor population (Hansen et al., 2015).

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Like wetland restoration programs, non-profit wetland recreational organizations are taking a stand. Corporations like Ducks Unlimited have raised over $2 billion to restore wetlands with the explicit purpose of recreational duck hunting (Siler, 2018). By combining wetlands and recreation, the economic benefit behind wetland restoration is increased.