Why Are Wetlands Important?

Yesterday (February 2nd) was World Wetlands Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the vital role that wetlands play in the wellbeing of our planet and all of the animals that inhabit it, including us! Although this day has been recognized for years, marking the Convention on Wetlands in 1971, this is the FIRST year that it was observed as a United Nations international day. This points to how important wetlands are, and how imperative it is that we protect them worldwide.

Great Blue Heron. Photo by Heather Kerrison. 

Why are wetlands worth protecting?

Wetlands have far stretching benefits for humans, numerous other animal species and the climate as a whole. They:

• Provide fresh water by naturally filtering out pollutants 
• Provide food and shelter to a MASSIVE amount of species worldwide: over 40% of the world's species live in wetlands 
• In Ontario, many of our species at risk (20%) also inhabit wetlands and need them to survive. 
• Protect against erosion and flooding by absorbing millions of gallons of water
• Protect against climate change by absorbing and storing atmospheric carbon, which can occur in peatlands, mangroves, salt marshes and more. 

From this list, you can gather that wetlands sustain life. Both human and animal life, right here in Ontario, and globally. 

Wetlands also provide us JOY, which cannot be overlooked. They provide opportunities for gentle recreation such as canoeing and photography. They lend us an opportunity to connect with nature. Many of the species that marvel us, call wetlands home. To learn more about Ontario's herons that you can spot in wetlands, read our former blog on the Herons of Ontario, here. 

Least Bittern in reeds. Status: Threatened. Photo by Heather Kerrison. 

What Can You Do?

This years events focus on a call to action for wetlands: investing financial, human and political capital into saving the wetlands of our world and restoring those that have been degraded. 

Support local organizations, such as Environmental Defence and Ontario Nature that consistently push to shift policy to protect natural areas, including wetlands. Only 30% of Ontario's original wetlands still remain. It is imperative that we move towards protection and restoration. Check out Ontario Nature's campaign on Wetlands here, where you can sign their petition and email your  MPs urging them to protect wetlands. 

You can take individual steps to supporting wetland health, such as reducing your own water consumption and carbon footprint at home. 

Wetlands are utopia's of biodiversity, they make our communities more resilient towards climate change and flooding and provide us a way to connect with our natural world. They deserve our respect, protection and love. 

Go out and thank your local wetland today! 

Warmly, 

Heather