Why All The Fuss About Wetlands?

One component of our Clear Creek Lower Channel Project is the creation of wetlands near Clear Creek. The benefits of stream restoration are simple enough to see, but a lot of people are not sure why wetlands are so important. The fact is wetlands play an important role in healthy ecosystems. Read on to find out more!

A "wetland" is a generic term for all the different kinds of wet habitats where the land is wet for some period of time each year but not necessarily permanently wet, and supports wetland plant species. Wetlands usually occur in areas where surface water collects or where underground water discharges to the surface, making the area wet for extended periods of time. Other wetlands occur along the coast, and are created by the tide. Examples of wetlands include swamps, marshes and bogs.

Historically, the United States was home to over 215 million acres of wetlands. After permanent European colonization, wetlands began disappearing to make way for new land development and agriculture. Throughout much of our nation’s history, wetlands were viewed as insignificant areas that could be drained and filled for other uses. At one time federal laws even provided incentives to convert wetlands to "usable" land. Today, only about 100 million acres of wetlands remain in the US. In California alone, 90% of wetlands have been eliminated, mostly through the installation of dams and canals, and draining and filling to create more land for development and agriculture Other problems for wetlands include the introduction of non-native plants, improper grazing, pollution, and droughts.

In the last 25 years researchers have learned more about the importance of wetlands and many programs are now available with state and federal funds to preserve, restore, and create wetlands. The annual loss of wetlands has dropped dramatically from about 458,000 acres/year in the 1970s to about 117,000 acres/year in the 1990s.

So why all the fuss about mud, water and plants? If you have stopped to look closely at a wetland, you realize the variety of plants and animals that use wetlands as a home, such as birds, mammals, frogs, fish, and plant species. Up to one half of North American bird species use wetlands to nest, feed, or just rest. As wetlands have declined, some bird populations have concurrently declined. Many fish, amphibians, insects, and plants are also dependent on wetlands. In dry climates like ours, wetlands can be a precious place for wildlife.

How Does the RCD Help Shasta County Wetlands?

The goal of the RCD is to work with watershed groups, agencies and local government to make sure that any wetlands disturbed while restoring watersheds to healthy and functional systems, are replaced by creating wetlands in the same watershed environment. The RCD is pleased that federal and state agencies are given the ability to fund these types of activities.

Of course, the majority of wetlands today are on private property, so individual landowners can play a big part in the preservation or enhancement of these special areas. If you think you may have a wetland on your property and have any questions about how you can enhance it for wildlife, give our technicians a call; they would be glad to assist you.

Get Involved! Find out where wetlands are located near you (go take a look at the Clear Creek area!), and support efforts to protect them.

Let nature take its course! Wetland areas have a naturally determined balance of plants and wildlife. It’s best not to introduce any new plant or wildlife species into a wetland area.

Learn more about wetlands by visiting some of these great websites!

EPA Office of Water

A great site with lots of information and a large page of links for kids.

National Wetlands Conservation Alliance

Find out what is being done to protect wetlands across the country at this informative site.

National Wetlands Inventory

A project of the Fish and Wildlife Service to inventory and map major wetland areas in the US. Great resource.

National Audobon Society

The Audobon Society is very active in wetlands restoration. Visit this site for clear, comprehensive information.