The Natural Resources Conservation Service is celebrating protecting wetlands for 25 years. The goal of the NRCS has been to protect and restore ecosystems.

The wetland benefits to farms doesn’t stop at wildlife, birds and pollinators. They can also help with water quality improvement. According to the NRCS, wetlands provide natural pollution control by removing excess agricultural chemicals and fertilizers from surface water. Wetlands are also reservoirs for rainwater and runoff, to reduce peak water flow after heavy storms and recharge groundwater supplies. Sediment delivery reduction is another benefit, as wetlands filter and collect sediment from runoff water, helping to reduce sedimentation in lakes and reservoirs.

Finally there’s the bottom line impact on the farm. For some farmers, they have decided to set aside wet areas as wetlands instead of farming poorly drained areas because tiling can be cost prohibitive.

Take a look back to learn more details from these wetland stories in our latest gallery.