Abundant wetland forests for healthy human and natural communities.
On World Wetlands Day 2017, Dogwood Alliance gathered over 20 partners to launch the Wetland Forest Initiative (WFI). A diverse array of organizations, tribes, agencies, and landowner associations joined together with a simple mission: to conserve, restore, and improve Southern wetland forests to strengthen our communities through science-based actions, diverse partnerships, and citizen and landowner engagement.
Wetland forests are the “filters” of our natural system, combating pollution, removing excess nutrients, and securing fresh drinking water for surrounding and downstream communities. They provide critical protection from dangerous flooding in vulnerable regions. Wetland forests rank among the most important in the nation for carbon sequestration and biodiversity.
The majority of the nation’s wetland forests are located in the Southern United States. These forests span 35 million acres across fourteen states. One third of currently listed endangered species are dependent on wetlands. A majority of wetland forests have been lost due to logging as well as agricultural and development conversion in the last 300 years.
Wetland forest conservation and restoration must be recognized as an urgent national, regional, and local priority.
Want to get involved or learn more? Check out our links below!