Wetland Conservation & Restoration

Keeping wetlands functioning for the future

Wetlands filter water, provide habitat for wildlife, and help control floods, but many have been lost due to development and land conversion. Restoring or enhancing wetlands can improve water quality and provide long-term ecological benefits.

Conservation districts assist with wetland restoration projects, permitting guidance, and funding opportunities to enhance these critical ecosystems. If you have a wetland on your property, your district can help you manage it effectively.

How to Restore Your Wetland:

  • Replant native vegetation to restore natural filtration and provide habitat for wildlife.
  • Manage hydrology by restoring water flow and minimizing drainage to keep wetland systems intact.
  • Control invasive species that threaten wetland habitats and native plant species.
  • Create buffers around wetlands to protect them from runoff and prevent degradation.

📢 Ready to restore or enhance your wetland?

Explore the resources below and get in touch with your local conservation district for assistance and funding opportunities.

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.

Low-Tech Methods to Promote Healthy Streams and Meadows: A Factsheet
Partnering to Conserve Sagebrush Rangelands

This resource introduces low-tech, process-based restoration methods, such as beaver dam analogs to rehabilitate incised streams and meadows. It provides a factsheet detailing these techniques, aiming to help newcomers understand and implement practices that slow runoff, spread water, and enhance ecosystem productivity.

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.

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.