Did You Know?
Prairie Potholes are the primary wetland type in the Dakotas. Large, round depressions that collect seasonal rushes of rainwater, prairie potholes are vital to the survival of more than 300 bird species. This region is so important to waterfowl that it is often called the "Duck Factory of North America." It is annually responsible for producing 50 percent of the total number of ducks for eight of the 12 most common species that breed there. Retreating glaciers carved out nearly 25 million prairie pothole wetlands. This amazing density--an average of 83 potholes per square acre--is unparralleled in North America. Primarily due to agriculture, North Dakota has lost half of its natural wetlands; South Dakota has lost more than a third. |
Sign the Petition to Help Protect America's Wetlands!
Our nation's wetlands, streams and other waters have a tremendous impact on everyone's lives. But development and draining of these areas result in the loss of an average of 80,000 acres of wetlands each year.
That is why we need 80,000 people to let the President know how important wetlands are to us. Parents want clean drinking water for their children. Families want to live without fear of their homes being flooded. Sportsmen want to protect habitat for fish and wildlife and enjoy the opportunities to hunt and fish.
Wetlands provide all these things and more. Tell the President we need to protect these areas for our future. Sign the petition today!
The Petition (to the President of the United States):
Dear Mr. President,Wetlands profoundly benefit the lives of every American.
They control floods and erosion, hold and cleanse water, and give us places to hunt, fish and enjoy the outdoors. What's more, wetlands provide habitat for many thousands of plant, fish and wildlife species.
Yet we continue to let our last — and best — wetlands slip through our hands. In fact, we lose an average of 80,000 acres of natural wetlands each year.
A series of recent rollbacks in legal protections now threaten to accelerate our nation's already appalling rate of wetlands loss. Leadership is needed to restore federal protections that are crucial to maintaining clean water and healthy wetlands.
Please do everything in your power to restore the strength of our national wetlands protections — and please do so quickly.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] [Your Address]
© 2008 We Are Wetlands