Wetlands & Wildlife

What Are Wetlands?

Wetlands are special ecosystems where water covers or soaks the land for all or part of the year. They are home to unique plants, animals, and soils that thrive in the watery environment.

Why Are Wetlands Important?

Wetlands provide food, shelter, and breeding grounds for many kinds of wildlife. They help control flooding by soaking up excess rainwater like a sponge. Wetlands also act as natural filters, trapping dirt, chemicals, and pollution to keep our rivers, lakes, and streams cleaner.

Highlighted Species:

• Red-Shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus):

  

This bird of prey hunts many creatures of the wetland including frogs, snakes, and rodents, helping to balance the ecosystem. Listen for its sharp “kee-ahh” call.

• Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias): 

  

This tall, graceful bird wades through wetlands, hunting fish and frogs with slow, deliberate steps. It is a symbol of wetland beauty.

• Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon): 

  

With its shaggy crest and sharp eyes, this fish-eating bird patrols wetlands, diving swiftly to catch its prey.

• Spatterdock (Nuphar advena): 

  

This aquatic plant has floating leaves, bright yellow flowers, and roots that anchor in the mud. Its leaves shelter fish and frogs, while its blooms attract pollinators.

Wetland Soils

Wetland soils, or hydric soils, are waterlogged and rich in nutrients, creating ideal conditions for wetland plants and animals. Notice a funny smell? The “rotten egg” odor of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) signals that bacteria are breaking down organic material, helping to maintain a healthy ecosystem.