Saving Wetlands One Acre at a Time

By Nicole Adimey | Atira Conservation Founder

We’re not sure this received much attention in 2024, but the most recent decadal “Wetlands Status and Trends” report to Congress by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service showed an alarming trend in wetlands losses: Net loss of wetlands increased by more than 50 percent between 2009 and 2019, compared to the previous report period, and today, wetlands cover less than 6 percent of the lower 48 states — which is half the area they covered in the 1780s.

Wetlands are one of the most productive and biodiverse habitats that we have. Some 40 percent of all plant and animal species live or breed in wetlands. They’re also home to about half of all of the species listed in the U.S. Endangered Species Act. In addition to providing crucial stopover grounds for migrating birds and other species benefits, wetlands also play a key role for human communities: holding flood water and snow melt, filtering impurities and even recharging our aquifers.

According to the report, vegetated wetlands were disproportionately affected. We lost 670,000 acres — an area the size of Rhode Island — over the report period. We also lost 2 percent of our salt marshes — the highest net percent reduction of wetlands by type — and had the largest loss by area (426,000 acres) of forested wetlands.

The report calls for managing our nation’s wetland resources for “no net loss,” updating our national wetlands management policies and taking actions to address gaps in science and management. Undoubtedly, we need policy and management changes at the local, state and federal levels to stem the loss of these important habitats — changes that will depend on community and political will.

The President signed America’s Conservation Enhancement Act Reauthorization Act into law on Jan. 2. The bill reauthorized the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the National Fish Habitat Conservation Act and several Chesapeake Bay restoration programs. While this law will undoubtedly support wetlands conservation, real policy changes and action could take years or even decades to shift.

At Atira Conservation, we’re not waiting. Instead, we’re putting our extensive expertise to work.  Partnering with other conservation organizations, we help support land acquisition to enhance communities and leave lasting land legacies for future generations to enjoy. 

From December 2023 through December 2024, we contributed to 26 land transactions that helped   secure 19,681 acres of conservation lands for permanent protection and stewardship. These land projects encompassed various types of habitats, including wetlands, which continue to decline at an alarming rate.

We invite you to join us in land conservation projects that will help protect wetlands and other important habitats. Please consider becoming involved with a land trust in your community. You can also make a donation to Atira Conservation and know that your dollars will help conserve lands that matter!