Wetlands are areas of land in freshwater areas or along coastlines where the soil is waterlogged. Often, wetlands are viewed as wastelands waiting to be filled and developed. In reality, they are precious beyond price. 

The plants that inhabit wetlands filter nutrients and contaminants from the water and help stabilize the soil, reducing erosion. They are rich habitats for animals and other living things. And as they grow, they suck carbon dioxide from the air and store the carbon it contains in their tissues and in the soggy soil beneath them. Peatlands, in particular, can store large amounts of carbon in layers of partly-decayed vegetation built up over time. 

Wetlands do emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas, but the amount of greenhouse gas emissions they absorb is much greater, far outweighing their contribution to the climate emergency. 

Restoring and protecting wetlands can improve their capacity to absorb greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere and store it for long periods of time. Caring for wetlands reduces climate risk while enhancing the numerous other ways they support the wellbeing and flourishing of people and ecosystems.

When you take this action, add 1 Ocean token to the board if you have 3–4 Ecology tags in this card's stack or add 2 Ocean tokens to the board if you have 5 or more Ecology tags in this card's stack.
You may take this action once per round.

• Wetland Conservation (Wikipedia)

• Peatland Protection and Rewetting (Project Drawdown)

• Think of wetlands as valuable habitat instead of “wasted land” that could be filled or excavated for other uses. Protest efforts to develop and build on them, and join community groups that aim to protect them.

• Encourage local lawmakers to protect existing wetlands and restore damaged ones.

• Initiate or volunteer with an invasive species removal project in a wetland near you.