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Tuesday, February 9, 2010

The Value of Wetlands

Wetlands have enormous ecological value: they provide food and shelter for emerging life as water and waste are slowly filtered and changed.

These are in- between spaces, looking like wasteland, with rotting matter and unattractive growth. Sometimes cities rush to clear these spaces and reclaim them as real estate.

When that happens, it is like reclaiming the night, the time we need to rest, change, make sense of our world, retain important information for our survival.

Our  lists and debris  get churned and dumped out by the morning light.

Go ahead. Let things be for a while.
Your own thoughts need to perculate through sandy banks, reedy channels, before they can become clear and recognizable.

Evolution takes time.

18 comments:

Maggie May said...

Beautiful wetland photo.
We should all save a little place that is kept just for nature to do her own thing in.

Nuts in May

Helen said...

How true ........

ellen abbott said...

fortunately, people are starting to realize how much we need the wetlands. some are even being restored.

Wander to the Wayside said...

It's funny that you should mention this, because I was just looking out the kitchen window while my 4yr old grandson and I were doing dishes, to that green area behind us that I've posted about before that floods when it rains, and thinking that I'm glad it's an area they can't build on (it's a 100 year flood zone) because it's such a wonderul place for the frogs, ducks, birds, lizards, etc. It's not a huge area, but a place we go with the dogs and kids for nature lessons, tad pole hunting, and good conversations. An area free of ipods, tv, and computers!

Unknown said...

Here in Maine, much has been done to preserve our wetlands. About 4 miles from me is once such area, a 3100 acre preserve known as the Scarborough Marsh.
If you google "Scarborough Marsh" you can see pictures.

Anonymous said...

Lovely post. The wetlands are so important. I live just south of the Fens, a low-lying wetland area in England. There is a lot of conservation work going on and we have been rewarded with the return of native species and some spectacular birdlife.

Tess Kincaid said...

The time we need to rest, change, make sense of our world.

I love that.

decomondo said...

Many people believe that what surrounds us must necessarily be beautiful, even landscapes.
I think that what we have should give us pleasure and is precious not only to us but also to animals with whom we share our survival on this tired planet.

Brian Miller said...

love this one...yes it does take time...

potsoc said...

Longueuil is a city of close to 400000 souls. A few years ago it was draining wetlands to reap tax money. Then some citizens began a campaign to save those wetlands that were left. That is how we now have a large regional park full of wild life and a vast tract of land called «Le Boisé Du Tremblay» within walking distance of our home. Thus we have, in our backyard bird feeder dozens of birds, raccoons, skunks (very well behaved), squirrels and, most likely, while we sleep, other creatures. It's almost country like.

pink dogwood said...

I can't tell you how timely this post is - I love this line

it is like reclaiming the night, the time we need to rest, change, make sense of our world, retain important information for our survival.

we had 30 inches of snow last saturday and we are supposed to get 20 more inches tomorrow. I am going to miss coming to work several days this week. I was so stressed about being behind - then I saw your post. Now I am going to use this forced time off to make sense of the world.

Delwyn said...

Hi Rosaria

I like your analogy today...we do tend to want quick answers and solutions...instant gratification in many ways...
when things that run with nature they take their own course in their own time...

I think I am telling myself something this morning that I need to consider...

thank you for the prompt...

Happy days

Hilary said...

Beautiful and so true.

Monkey Man said...

I have great hope for the earth. Once we humans have died off she will clean herself up and be beautiful again. If only we all had the awareness to make it happen while we ere still here.

RNSANE said...

There are plenty of wide open spaces in the U. S. but we seem to be eliminating those near us in the cities where we really need some respite from the traffic and noise and chaos.

rjerdee said...

Simple truths...lovely post.

Poet said...

Well said.

We at Friends of Ballona Wetlands (ballonafriends.org) are working to restore the last 2% of coastal wetlands in Los Angeles County.

kanishk said...

some are even being restored.

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