Our wetlands are at risk
Wetlands are vital habitat and play a crucial role in a healthy environment. Sprawl and other human activity have already destroyed around 90% of our historic wetlands.
Unfortunately, many of our remaining wetlands are currently unprotected. Without a change, developers could pave over wetlands and destroy these vital ecosystems forever. We need to protect the wetlands we have left.
Wetlands are important
Wetlands are home to dozens of species of wildlife, like Blanding’s turtles, great blue herons, Illinois chorus frogs, beavers and more. These animals all rely on wetlands for food and suitable habitat, as do many migratory species that shelter in wetlands on their way through our state. Our wetlands also protect us by filtering pollutants out of our water and acting as a crucial buffer to prevent flooding.
We can’t let what remains of our wetlands go unprotected.
A comprehensive wetland protection program
In 2024, the state legislature considered a bill that would create a comprehensive wetlands protection program, but the bill did not see a vote on the fl oor. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources can create this program before more wetland habitat is lost, but we need leadership from the Pritzker administration for it to succeed. Gov. Pritzker has the opportunity to be a leader for wildlife and clean water by working with his agencies to make sure these protections become law and are implemented effectively.
Join the call for wetlands protection
Our network has been co-leading a coalition of environmental and community organizations to advocate for restored protections of Illinois’ wetlands now, and we need more citizen support. We need our wetlands not just today and tomorrow, but for the long term. A healthy environment needs healthy wetlands, and healthy wetlands need your support.