Wetlands are areas of land that are saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally. They are important ecosystems that provide a wide range of ecological, economic and social benefits. Wetlands are often found in national and state parks and are protected to preserve their ecological value.
Many national and state parks in the United States have wetlands within their borders, and they play an important role in protecting and preserving these ecosystems. For example:
- Congaree National Park in South Carolina is home to one of the largest old-growth bottomland hardwood forests in the southeastern United States, which is a wetland ecosystem.
- Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, New Jersey, is a wetland that provides habitat for a wide variety of birds and other wildlife.
- Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia, is a large peat-filled wetland that supports a diverse array of plant and animal life, including alligators and several rare and endangered species.
Wetlands in national and state parks are often protected from development and other human activities that can harm water quality and aquatic ecosystems. Park staff also work to protect and restore wetlands through activities such as streambank stabilization, riparian zone restoration, and invasive species management.
It’s worth noting that some of these parks may have restrictions on activities such as fishing, hunting and swimming, to protect and preserve the wetlands and its aquatic life. Visitors should always be aware of the park’s regulations and follow them to protect the fragile ecosystems of these areas.