Visit a Wetland Treasure

Compared to the mountains and woods that enjoy hikers year round, and the rivers and lakes that attract boaters and anglers each summer, wetlands are infrequently visited by outdoor enthusiasts. As a result, they remain one of our most misunderstood, and therefore threatened, environments.

Common misconceptions of wetlands include the idea that they are "wastelands," "disease-infested," and dark and dirty "swamps." Since the 1960's more Americans have become concerned about our environment and more and more people have come to understand the important ecological role wetlands play, but still, few people have actually experienced wetlands "up close." Wetlands are dramatic landscapes, as varied as the species that inhabit them - from lowly mud-loving salamanders and centipedes, to lofty eagles and herons. Sedge meadows, fens, floodplain forests, cedar swamps, bogs, and marshes - all are examples of Wisconsin's rich wetland heritage.

Every corner of the state is dotted with wetlands: forested wetlands, prairie pot-holes, sedge meadows, and lake, river and stream shorelines. But over the past century we have lost more than half of our state's wetlands, about five million acres, as these areas were ditched, diked and drained for agriculture, roads, housing and shopping centers. Our wetlands continue to be threatened by development projects throughout the state. We're not just losing our wetland heritage, we're losing the valuable role wetlands play in our state's ecology and economy . . .

We're collecting photos and stories of wetland areas around the state and calling them "featured wetlands." These short articles are written by members and others interested in sharing their favorite Wisconsin wetlands with folks like you. So, please take a minute to review their stories and consider submitting a short article yourself - we'd love to hear from you.

Wetlands Featured Here:

  • Tiffany Bottoms near Eau Claire
  • Calcareous Fens of Bluff Creek & Clover Valley in Walworth Co.
  • Go on a wetland field trip with Wisconsin Wetlands Association!

    Click here to download a simple DNR map of a few special wetland areas from throughout the state.

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