It's Time for Wetland Restoration World Wetlands Day 2.2.2023

Over the past 400 years, wetlands have been used and converted across the globe for commercial, transportation, and agricultural purposes. Over 100 million acres of wetlands have been lost in the U.S. alone with the increase in populations and the demand for land to feed and house citizens.

These losses have shown themselves in the form of local changes to climate, wildlife populations and migratory patterns, increases in storm damage, and aquifer recharge shortages.

Globally, we have identified a need to reclaim and restore our wetlands, which is why the theme for World Wetlands Day 2023 is “It’s time for Wetlands Restoration.”

So what CAN we do?

It's a large and daunting task but every step in the right direction helps!

Limit use of lawn care chemicals, especially on windy days

The high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in these treatments will run off with storm water, or be carried in the wind toward local wetlands. They can cause algal blooms which lead to oxygen starvation in aquatic species if left untreated.

Be careful what you plant

Introducing non-native vegetation to a wetland can cause it to out-compete natural vegetation, thus disrupting the ecosystem of a wetland. This causes a food shortage in native vegetation, and loss of habitats.

Volunteer your time

If you want to make the largest impact on the health of these vital ecosystems, then volunteering your time is the best way! Whether it's picking up litter, planting native vegetation, or weeding out invasive species, a little bit of human help can really improve the wetland ecosystems in a positive way.

Appreciate

Credits:

Created with images by Michael - "Wetlands Sunrise at Botany Bay Plantation " • peangdao - "Papyrus at the wetland" • Donna - "Cattails Line a Pond near the Intracoastal Waterway in Jacksonville Beach, Florida" • Tomasz Zajda - "Caucasian Men Fighting Grass Lawn Weeds" • Björn Müller/Wirestock Creators - "Selective focus shot of a phragmites plant"