A wetland that was drained in 1859 was reclaimed thanks to support from Wildlife Forever. The Bena Brook Wetland near Cedar Rapids, Iowa was drained during railroad construction nearly 150 years ago, but after years of volunteer effort and assistance from groups like Wildlife Forever, numerous species of waterfowl, songbirds, fish, and reptiles are returning to the three-acre wetland. The project required bulldozers and other heavy equipment to remove more than 30,000 cubic yards of sediment from the site. Schoolchildren were recruited to help to plant much of the new vegetation in the refurbished area. Education is a major focus of the new wetland, as walkways and observation decks will allow for wildlife viewing and educational opportunities.