February 2 is about more than groundhogs. It’s World Wetlands Day.

World Wetlands Day has been celebrated since 1997 to recognize and call public attention to the critical importance of wetlands to our environment, clean water, fish and wildlife, and biological diversity. 

Wetland Loss

The 2025 theme for the day is “wetlands for our common future.” It recalls the essential roles of wetlands, and the rising threats that they face from pollution and human land development. Globally, wetlands are being lost at three times the rate of forest loss. In the United States, the threat level was pushed much higher by the radical Sackett decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2023 that slashed the areas traditionally protected under the Clean Water Act.

Then to make matters worse, anti-environment legislators opened up millions of acres of wetlands for development here in North Carolina. As climate change threatens to bring more flood waters, we need more wetlands, not less. One square kilometer of wetlands saves $1.8 million in property damage.

World Wetlands Day provides a reminder that our public education efforts on the essential values of wetlands must continue.

The Coastal Review, an online publication of the NC Coastal Federation, weighs in this year with an editorial essay worth reading. 

Not Too Late to Celebrate

And if—like most of us—we didn’t know about World Wetlands Day in time to celebrate wetlands on February 2 this year, there’s still plenty of time in February to offer some slightly belated love to these essential waters. Take a hike on a greenway or trail near wetlands on one of our North Carolina “Fool’s Spring” warm days in February, and you’re likely to be treated to the seasonal wake-up song of chorus frogs, spring peepers, and other iconic noisy amphibians. It’s a song we want to continue hearing.

Help Protect Wetlands

The NC Legislature is back in session, and thanks to your help, the NC House of Representatives has enough environmental champs to break the supermajority. Now, we need to make sure our legislators stick to their promises and protect the environment.

Help us make the most change at the legislature by donating to our work today!