World Wetlands Day: Here and Abroad!
Today is World Wetlands Day! Wetlands deserve their time to shine since they are so important for the countless good they do for the environment. Benefits range from freshwater supply, food and building materials, and biodiversity, to flood control, groundwater recharge, and climate change mitigation. And they do that here in your backyard around the world!
The world has lost 85% of its wetlands since the 1700s, and they are disappearing three times faster than forests. Wetlands are among the most diverse and productive ecosystems. Advocates for wetlands from Ramsar ask us to:
Value wetlands for the multiple benefits and nature-based solutions they provide for human well-being and a healthy planet.
Manage wetlands wisely and use them sustainably so we can conserve them and maintain the health of these critically important ecosystems.
Restore lost and degraded wetlands to revive the rich biodiversity and life found in these life-sustaining ecosystems.
A local wetlands advocate organization is the Sacajawea Audubon Society (SAS)! Due to many years of hard work and essential partnerships, the Indreland Wetland Audubon Preserve is now a 40-acre wetland out past East Main in Bozeman. It is a place that will be restored and be enjoyed from now on into the future! Check it out for birdwatching, to learn more about the ecosystem of wetlands, or for a peaceful walk close to downtown.
Today’s World Wetland Events:
This afternoon from 12:00pm - 12:45pm there is a virtual tour of the Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve followed by a Q&A with the IAWP Design Committee, Sacajawea Audubon Society, Gallatin Watershed Council, Ducks Unlimited, Montana Freshwater Partners, and Confluence, Inc. Register now!
An important change: Due to today's cold weather and the desire to make sure everyone is comfortable, we are moving this evening's fire gathering to Friday, February 4th from 4:30pm to 6:00pm at the IAWP. Please see the details below:
IAWP Busy Beavers Meet and Greet and World Wetland Celebration Continued: Friday, February 4th 4:30pm to 6:00pm: Bring a mug and a chair, and join us at the Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve for some hot cocoa and a small cozy fire to get to know one another and celebrate the successes of our local wetland, the IAWP!
Parking Directions: Walk east through the parking lot to the Clock Tower on Mendenhall St. and Broadway Ave. at the entrance of Village Downtown. As you face the clock, the public trail to the wetlands is on your right, just past the clock. Walk approximately two-tenths of a mile and you'll see us there! Contact Heather at heather@gallatinwatershedcouncil.org for alternate parking options if you are unable to walk this distance.
If you want to be involved in helping protect our local wetlands and other resources within the Lower Gallatin Watershed, sign up to be an IAWP Busy Beaver! You can also get to know your local watershed and wetlands at www.gallatinwatershedcouncil.org or www.bozemanwetlands.org!
