Our nation's wetlands have been polluted, filled in, paved over and largely ignored since European settlers first arrived in North America. They also are important to the recreational, commercial food harvest, and tourism and timber industries. Their natural functions, such as storing flood waters and producing seafood, are important to people. But we continue to destroy our wetlands at an alarming rate to make way for roads and development.
Some wetlands are victims of poor management and neglect.
For example, they can become polluted and filled with sediment through inadequate storm water and agricultural management and poor watershed planning. Fortunately, steps are being taken across the nation to conserve this important resource. Wetlands have been central to the League's dedication to clean water and wildlife throughout the League's history. Wetlands have been central to the League's dedication to clean water and wildlife throughout the League's history. In 1923, one of its first victories was the establishment of the Upper Mississippi River Fish and Wildlife Refuge, which encompasses 300 miles of the river.