The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages the public to learn about Missouri’s wetlands during “American Wetlands Month” in May.
MDC says wetlands play a critical role in every ecosystem by improving water quality, providing habitat for plants and animals, and reducing flooding by absorbing excess rain.
Wetlands are a transition zone between land and aquatic environments, and they protect the quality of both. Once abundant, wetlands now make up less than 1 million acres, or roughly 2-percent, of Missouri’s landscape.
Missouri’s wetlands provide numerous ecological benefits, such as erosion control, water quality improvement, pollution filtration, and even supporting fertile farm land. They are also the primary habitat of hundreds of plant and animals that are considered rare or endangered in Missouri.
Wetland areas also provide the public recreation and tourism opportunities, such as wildlife watching, fishing, boating, hunting, and hiking.
To find a wetland near you, visit MDC’s website at https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places

Photo provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation