WORLD WETLANDS DAY

Today is World Wetlands Day, and I want to take a moment to talk about why wetlands are so important—not just to our planet, but to each and every one of us.

In fact, wetlands are often called the "kidneys of the planet" because they play such an important role in filtering water. They help remove sediments and other pollutants from the water, which keeps our rivers and streams clean. They also help to replenish groundwater supplies. And, wetlands are home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, many of which are not found anywhere else on Earth. In short, wetlands are vital to the health of our planet—and that means they're vital to our health, too.

Sadly, wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate. According to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, 64% of the world's wetlands have been lost since 1900. That's an area equivalent to the size of France! There are many factors contributing to this loss, including climate change, urbanization, agriculture, and pollution. If we don't do something to stop the loss of wetlands, we could see devastating consequences for both the environment and human health.

Let's all commit to doing our part to protect these important habitats. Educate yourself about wetlands, make choices that will help protect them, and take action to restore them in your area. Together, we can make a difference for wetlands—and for the planet as a whole.

*Images were taken in the world's largest wetland, the Pantanal during #RunBlue marathon 143