Wetlands are often called the earth’s kidneys because they filter pollutants from the water that flows through them. In addition, they act as giant sponges, capturing large amounts of rainwater and releasing it at a slower rate, thus protecting us from flooding. Finally, these delicate environments are habitats for a stunning diversity of plant and animal species.

Yes. Think of wetlands as natural infrastructure. Keeping wetlands intact saves taxpayer dollars that would otherwise need to be spent on expensive “gray infrastructure” projects like stormwater treatment systems, flood controls, pollution removal systems and storm recovery efforts.