Wetlands store water to prevent flooding, they protect water quality, and they provide wildlife watchers, anglers, hunters, and boaters with the memories of a lifetime. But Wisconsin wetlands are in peril. Laws have slowed their destruction, but wetlands continue to be destroyed and degraded as they are drained and filled for agriculture, development, and roads. Wisconsin now has about half of the 10 million acres present in 1848. Changing land use, non-native species, such as purple loosestrife, polluted runoff, and overuse of groundwater supplies also are endangering Wisconsin wetlands.

 

Every one of us can help protect, preserve, and restore these wonderlands. We can start by enjoying the wetlands on our own land, or on nearby public land. Take a walk at dusk or early in in the morning to learn what plants and animals call your wetland home, and to locate the water source that feeds it. If you're a property owner, learn whether you have a wetland on your land and familiarize yourself with laws protecting the wetland. Or consider restoring wetlands that may have been drained on your property. If you're a concerned citizen who sees a nearby wetland suffering from development, polluted runoff, or invasive species, check with local government officials about what you can do to protect or restore it.