KINGMAN & MEADE COUNTIES, KS – When Dan and Brenda Pace first heard about the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), they were intrigued but unsure what it could offer. A call from Dan’s brother-in-law, who was working on a Wetland Reserve Easement (WRE) project in Colorado, changed that. The idea of preserving his land in Kingman County, Kansas, in a near-natural state — protecting it for wildlife and future generations — felt too important to pass up.
“I’m not farming the land, but I’m helping preserve it in a way that benefits everyone — wildlife, the land itself, and the community,” Dan says.
One of Dan and Brenda’s properties, located in Meade County, features a playa — a shallow, seasonal wetland that plays a key role in recharging the Ogallala Aquifer and provides critical wildlife habitat. Their other easement, in Kingman County, includes a riverine wetland along the South Fork of the Ninnescah River. These floodplain wetlands collect and hold water during seasonal rains and support a wide variety of native plants and wildlife.
“I thought, ‘If I could do something like that with this property and just save it in perpetuity, that would be such a wonderful thing for the wildlife and plants,’” Dan recalls.
This initial inspiration led to the enrollment of 240 acres in Kingman County and 67 acres in Meade County, marking the beginning of a journey that would transform both the land and Dan and Brenda’s understanding of conservation.
The Kingman County property, which stretches along the South Fork of the Ninnescah River, has always been blessed with consistent water. Even in drought years, it maintains its wetlands, thanks in part to beavers who have enhanced the natural hydrology by damming streams and expanding the wetlands. In contrast, the Meade County easement had been part of an irrigated circle that struggled with crop production for years. Here, Dan and Brenda’s decision to enroll their playa in WRP shifted its purpose from failed farmland to a thriving 67-acre wetland that is recharging the Ogallala aquifer.
For Dan, the reward of preserving these lands is both personal and profound. “The most satisfying part is knowing the land will stay protected forever, benefiting wildlife and plant species for generations to come,” he says. “It’s a feeling of peace, knowing I’ve done my part.”
However, as with any long-term commitment, challenges have arisen. Managing invasive woody brush, particularly in Kingman County, has been a constant battle. Yet, the use of modern technology, like drone-assisted herbicide application, has provided new tools to handle these challenges more efficiently.
Over the years, Dan and Brenda’s approach to land stewardship has evolved, shaped by a deepening understanding of the land’s natural processes. Initially inspired by his father-in-law’s love for conservation, Dan now sees the land as part of something larger — an interconnected system that supports not only wildlife but the broader environment.
“In good years, we see native wetland species thrive, and the land returns to something close to what it might have been 200 years ago,” Dan says. “Even during drought, the land still provides a home for wildlife.”
As landowners, Dan and Brenda doesn’t farm but remain deeply involved in maintaining the health of their easements. By controlling noxious weeds and cutting brush, they play an active role in sustaining the land’s integrity. The Wetland Reserve Easement has given them the flexibility to manage the land in ways that support both wildlife and people.
“I’m not farming the land, but I’m helping preserve it in a way that benefits everyone — wildlife, the land itself, and the community,” Dan says.
Dan firmly believes that private landowners play a crucial role in conservation, and he encourages others to consider enrolling land in a USDA Wetland Reserve Easement — part of the NRCS Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). “The more preserved ground there is, the better for the wildlife and plants,” he explains. “It’s not just about protecting your land — it’s about contributing to a larger conservation effort that will benefit everyone.”
For those who might be hesitant, Dan and Brenda’s message is simple: “Just do it. The restrictions are few, and if you enjoy working on the land, it’s not difficult. You’ll be making a difference, and it’s worth it in the long run.”
Hear Dan talk about preserving their wetlands for the long haul.