Wetland Facts

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge

Delaware

 

Did you know?

 

In 1991 wetland-related ecotourism activities such as hunting, fishing, bird-watching, and photography added approximately $59 billion to the national economy.

 

According to the Pacific Coast Federation of Fisherman's Associations, almost $79 billion per year is generated from wetland-dependent species, or about 71% of the nation's entire $111 billion commercial and recreational fishing industry in 1997.

 

An acre of wetland can store 1-1.5 million gallons of floodwater.

 

Up to one-half of North American bird species nest or feed in wetlands.

 

Although wetlands keep only about 5% of the land surface in the conterminous United States, they are home to 31% of our plant species.

 

"A healthy ecology is the basis for a healthy economy."

Claudine Schneider