The Nature Conservancy in Oregon’s Post

This World Wetlands Day, we are celebrating the significant role wetlands play in our lives. Wetlands filtrate human-made pollutants, reduce erosion and combat flooding, which protects communities, provides clean water and supports tourism and recreational industries. However, if steps are not taken to protect these natural resources, wetlands could disappear forever. Learn more about wetlands and how you can get involved in conservation efforts: https://lnkd.in/gNvSVgwU

Comparison of recovery 3 years after wildfire: Top photo shows slow recovery of trees & wildlife from unmanaged section of Sycan Marsh Preserve in Oregon. Bottom photo: More robust and healthier recovery from section previously managed w/ prescribed burning & ecological thinning. . This was a great photo in Forbes where author Bill Frist shared how prescribed burns can make a dramatic difference in suppressing and preventing wildfires. Check out the article here: https://t.co/r7JFdzatL7

Today, February 2nd is Wetlands Day. So what are Wetlands and why are they important? Up to us to educate ourselves. Here a 2 min brief. On 30 August 2021 the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 75/317 that established 2 February as World Wetlands Day. According to the World Wetlands Day website: "Wetlands are land areas that are saturated or flooded with water either permanently or seasonally. Inland wetlands: Marshes, lakes, rivers, floodplains, peatlands and swamps  Coastal wetlands: Saltwater marshes, estuaries, mangroves, lagoons and coral reefs Human-made wetlands: Fish ponds, rice paddies and salt pans" They are very important for biodiversity, flood and erosion control, to name a few benefits, part of this ecosystem we all share. https://lnkd.in/gMUUvzza

As we continue celebrating wetlands this month, we invite you to learn more about these vital habitats, how they are changing, and how we can work together to better conserve wetlands and their benefits. Learn what Foth is doing to protect and enhance wetlands and water quality: bit.ly/FothWaterSolutions #Wetlands #ForWetlands #WaterQuality

Fresh water systems feed our communities, shape our cultures and sustain the diversity of life on our planet. But today, our freshwater ecosystems are in trouble.  Wetlands are disappearing, freshwater plants and animal populations are on the decline, and half of all people on the planet now live in water-stressed areas.  But there is hope. With support, freshwater systems that have been degraded can recover quickly. Learn more about our freshwater conservation work here: https://nature.ly/48Eo1Dh 

Ecosystem #restoration improves resilience to #climatechange, safeguards #biodiversity, enables #foodsecurity, and protests #water. An impressive list of over 100 groups including states, cities, tribes, and NGOs are advancing their own policies and strategies for conserving and restoring America’s #freshwater systems. Freshwater is 1% of the earth and home to 10% of the species. The southeast US is biodiversity hotspot. https://lnkd.in/eqhqCi9z

This is an important example of how we can mitigate impacts of climate change and increase biodiversity.

GYC works hard to keep the region’s rivers wild, clean, and free-flowing. Here at the headwaters of the West, we know that the health of the rivers in Greater Yellowstone impact not only our ecosystem and communities, but also those far downstream. https://lnkd.in/gHig6psm

The wellbeing of society is dependent on healthy wetlands, so let us celebrate them on World Wetlands Day. Wetlands are essential, biodiverse ecosystems where water is the primary factor controlling the environment, plant and animal life. They may be saltwater or freshwater, inland or coastal, natural or human-made, permanent or temporary, static or flowing. Currently, wetlands cover about 6% of the Earth’s land surface. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/grFmSzn #WWD2024 #Wetlandsandhumanwellbeing

As the Watershed Coordinator for the Upper S. Platte Partnership, I often get asked by the community, "what is a watershed?" It's all the land that drains into a stream or body of water. Healthy watersheds are vital for safe drinking water, which is reliant on health forests and functioning ecosystems. That is the focus of the Upper S. Platte Partnership within our watershed. 80% of Denver's drinking water and 90% of Aurora city water flows directly through the Upper S. Platte watershed. Together, that is about 1/3 the state's population in just two cities. Beyond there are all the farms, ranchlands, and other communities even further downstream that receive the benefit, too, of the work in the upper mountains where this collaborative partnership works towards healthy forest ecosystem goals. The S. Platte River is a ribbon of life connecting it all! Read more about the importance of healthy forest for safe drinking water with the Colorado State Forest Service's post about World Water Day!