Do you believe that our wetlands are beneficial to the world and even more zoomed in, all the way into the Iowa Great Lakes? Our wetlands are in danger and can use our help to preserve them. You might be wondering why does this matter to me or how can I help, but the little things will add up.

Are our wetlands really necessary for the Iowa Great Lakes? Wetlands help control floods, cleanse water, and slow down erosion. According to "Why are wetlands important?" wetlands help with flooding by being a "sponge." They soak up water when it rains a bunch. Then when it is dry, it lets out water at a healthy rate. Many animals use wetlands for a place to eat, migrate to in the summer, reproduce , and raise their babies. Plants in wetlands have deep roots that hold the mud, silt, and sand in place which slows down erosion. Plants also are used to filter the water. "Why are wetlands important?" goes on to say that wetlands are like a kidney. They both help regulate water control and cleanse the system. So to keep our lakes clean, yes we need our wetlands.

We have caused major damage to our wetlands and their is damage happening to our wetlands. According to “Wetlands in Danger” every year 300,000 acres of wetlands are destroyed in the US alone. “Wetlands in Danger” continues on to say that legislators tried to pass a law that for every acre of wetland destroyed, another acre should be created. Unfortunately this law did not pass.  Sadly “Wetlands in Danger” continues to say later that these man-made wetlands are not very successful and lack the functions of a natural wetland. Recreating these wetlands will help, but that is only way to keep our lakes safe.

People that live in town and people that live on a farm can help with this cause. People that Live on the lake can help keep our lakes clean by not using phosphorus fertilizers on their lawns and making water gardens. Water gardens help filter the runoff before it gets into our lakes. Farmers can use multiple different solutions to help prevent sediment and pollution runoff. The best thing that they could do is restore a wetland, but a more common solution you will see with farmers are grassed waterways. Whether you live on a farm or in town you can help our wetlands and lakes.

Our wetlands are in danger. We all can help by not polluting, making a rain garden, and even just recycle. Wetlands are in danger, but it’s not too late to help. “We can choose to be affected by the world or we can choose to affect the world” - Heidi Wills.