GLIN==> Wisconsin Wetlands Association Announces 100 Wetland Gems

Submitted by Katie Beilfuss <katie.beilfuss at wisconsinwetlands.org>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
> May 15, 2009
>
> Contact:
> Katie Beilfuss, 608-250-9971
> Katie.Beilfuss at wisconsinwetlands.org
>
> WISCONSIN WETLANDS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES
> 100 WETLAND GEMS
>
> MADISON, WI.  Today, with a backdrop of Cherokee Marsh and the Yahara 
> River and amidst calls of Sandhill cranes, Wisconsin Wetlands Association 
> announced its statewide list of 100 Wetland Gems.
>
> "Wisconsin is lucky to be home to thousands of acres of wetlands, and we 
> hope these Wetland Gems will help the people of Wisconsin get to know the 
> wonderful diversity and extraordinary beauty of these natural 
> communities," said Becky Abel, Wisconsin Wetlands Association Executive 
> Director.
>
> Wetland Gems are high quality habitats that represent the wetland 
> riches-marshes, swamps, bogs, fens, and more-that historically made up a 
> quarter of Wisconsin's landscape.  Located throughout the state of 
> Wisconsin, the Wetland Gems are high-quality representatives of each type 
> of wetland found in each part of the state.
>
> The Wisconsin Wetlands Association embarked on the task of selecting 
> Wetland Gems as part of the organization's work to increase appreciation 
> for and protection of wetland resources.  The 100 Wetland Gems all 
> represent high quality wetland habitats and collectively represent 
> Wisconsin's wetland heritage.
>
> Since the early 1800s, nearly half of Wisconsin's 10 million acres of 
> wetlands have been drained or filled to make way for land uses like 
> agriculture, forestry, and urban and suburban development.  A large 
> portion of the 5 million remaining acres have been altered and degraded.
>
> "Historically, wetlands were not recognized and valued as natural 
> treasures, but were instead generally considered wastelands and obstacles 
> to progress," said Abel.  "The fact that so many of our wetlands have been 
> destroyed only heightens the value of the high quality wetland treasures 
> that remain."
>
> Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton, who spoke at the event, connected 
> critical water issues facing the state with the importance of wetlands. 
> "Wetlands used to be routinely filled in for new subdivisions and other 
> growth.  Now we understand them not only as flood protection, but as 
> nature's kidneys to clean up farm run-off and the like, and a necessary 
> home to wildlife and fish," said Lawton.
>
> "We've seen clearly in recent years in Wisconsin how damaging and 
> expensive floods can be, to individual property and to regional and state 
> economies.  Wetlands are an essential first strategy to prevent 
> catastrophic flooding," Lawton continued.
>
> Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank, Chief of 
> Staff for the Dane County Executive Topf Wells, and Madison Parks 
> Department Director Kevin Briski also spoke at the event, which was 
> attended by more than 100 people.
>
> Wisconsin's 100 Wetland Gems were selected from a long list of sites 
> recognized by an array of conservation planning efforts that identified 
> critical habitats, threats, and conservation actions to protect the 
> state's natural communities, species and special places.  These include 
> plans by groups including The Nature Conservancy the Wisconsin Department 
> of Natural Resources, and the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative. 
> Sixty-four of the Wetland Gems are in state ownership (including State 
> Parks, State Forests, and Wildlife Areas).  Seventy-seven of the Wetland 
> Gems are also designated as State Natural Areas.  Other key Wetland Gems 
> landowners include city, town, and county governments, land trusts, and 
> tribes.
>
> Several of the sites on the Wetland Gems list are important not only at 
> the statewide level, but also internationally.  In a special announcement 
> made as part of Wetland Gems event, Tex Hawkins, Watershed Biologist for 
> the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announced that the Upper Mississippi 
> River Wetlands has just been officially designated a Wetland of 
> International Importance under the International Ramsar Convention on 
> Wetlands.  This designation brings to two the number of Wetlands of 
> International Importance in Wisconsin; Horicon Marsh received the same 
> designation in 1990. Nationwide, the United States has so far designated 
> 27 Wetlands of International Importance.
>
> Wisconsin Wetlands Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to 
> the protection, restoration and enjoyment of wetlands and associated 
> ecosystems through science-based programs, education and advocacy. 
> Established in 1969, WWA is the only statewide organization focused 
> exclusively on wetland protection. More than 1400 members include wetland 
> scientists and educators, conservationists, hunters, concerned citizens, 
> and local and regional organizations.
>
> ###