May is American Wetlands Month

The observance of American Wetlands Month each May was begun in 1991 by the Environmental Protection Agency to acknowledge the value of wetlands as a natural resource.

Wetlands are among the most biologically productive ecosystems in the world. They capture, hold, and slowly release snow melt and water from heavy rain events to maintain wetland environments. Wetlands improve water quality, create cold water fish habitat, recharge groundwater, protect our communities from flooding, and increase plant, bird and wildlife numbers and variety. In fact, wetland habitats support 75% of all Wisconsin wildlife species, and 32% of Wisconsin’s threatened and endangered species. Wetlands also provide valuable recreational opportunities for millions of people to canoe, fish, rice, hunt, and birdwatch.

Unfortunately, more than half of all wetlands in the U.S. have been destroyed over the past 200 years – drained and filled primarily for agriculture. Today, wetlands cover just 6% of the country’s landmass, and this number continues to decline. The rate of wetland loss has, alarmingly, increased by 50% since 2009. It’s critical to reverse this wetland loss.

The observance of American Wetlands Month spreads awareness of the important benefits of wetlands, and encourages local governments, community members, and conservation groups to work towards the restoration of wetlands and the protection of those functioning wetlands remaining on the landscape.