Tidal Wetlands & Estuaries

Enhancing coastal environments

Tidal wetlands and estuaries provide essential habitat for fish, birds, and marine life while buffering against storm surges and rising sea levels. Restoring these areas can improve water quality and strengthen coastal resilience.

Conservation districts offer technical guidance and restoration programs to help enhance these unique habitats.

How to Restore Tidal Wetlands & Estuaries:

  • Restore natural tidal flow to improve habitat conditions for coastal species.
  • Replant native species that support biodiversity and stabilize the ecosystem.
  • Enhance water filtration by creating wetlands that trap nutrients and pollutants.
  • Protect habitats from shoreline development or human disturbance.

📢 Want to restore coastal wetlands and strengthen coastal resilience? Check out the resources below and connect with your local conservation district for support on your restoration projects.

Find Your Conservation District

Explore Conservation Resources

Burke Herbarium Image Collection
The Burke Museum

The Burke Herbarium Image Collection provides an extensive online database of plant, fungi, and lichen specimens, including high-resolution images and detailed records. It supports botanical research, identification, and education, particularly for species in the Pacific Northwest.

Explore the Salish Sea Curriculum
Junior Sea Doctors

An educational program designed to teach children about marine ecosystems and the importance of ocean conservation.

How's My Waterway
Environmental Protection Agency

How's My Waterway is an EPA tool that provides land managers with detailed information on the health of local waterways, including data on water quality, permitted discharges, and restoration efforts. By entering a specific location, users can access community-level insights to inform land management decisions and support effective water resource planning.

PLANTS Database
United State Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service

The USDA PLANTS Database (Plant List of Accepted Nomenclature, Taxonomy, and Symbols) is a resource offering detailed information on plant species across the United States, including their taxonomy, distribution, and conservation status. It supports research, education, and land management with tools like plant guides and an extensive image library.

Pacific Education Institute (PEI)
Pacific Education Institute (PEI)

This organization collaborates with educators to integrate field-based science and real-world projects into curricula, promoting environmental and sustainability education.

Project WET (Water Education Today)
Project WET (Water Education Today)

Dedicated to water education, Project WET provides educators with resources, workshops, and activities designed to teach students about water's critical role in our world.

The Pacific Northwest Herbaria Consortium
"Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture University of Washington Herbarium"

The Pacific Northwest Herbaria Consortium provides an online database for exploring plant specimen data from herbaria across the region, supporting botanical research and conservation. It offers tools for mapping, identifying, and studying native plants and their distributions.

Washington Native Plant Society
Washington Native Plant Society

The Washington Native Plant Society (WNPS) is dedicated to the appreciation, conservation, and restoration of Washington's native plants and their habitats. Through education, advocacy, and on-the-ground projects, WNPS connects people to native plant resources, events, and conservation efforts.

Water Pollution: Everything You Need to Know
Natural Resources Defense Council

This article from the Natural Resources Defense Council provides an in-depth overview of water pollution, detailing its causes, types, and the significant impact it has on human health and the environment. It emphasizes the urgent need for action to protect our limited freshwater resources and offers practical steps individuals can take to help prevent water pollution.

Water Resources
Washington Department of Ecology

The Washington State Department of Ecology's Water Resources Program collaborates with communities to manage water resources sustainably, addressing current and future needs for both people and the environment. Key initiatives include monitoring water supplies, overseeing water rights, protecting streamflows, ensuring dam safety, and providing access to information about water resource laws in Washington state.