Generations of artists, poets, philosophers, photographers and nature lovers have been inspired by the mystery and majesty of wetlands. Like, ummm, Great Blue Herons. The earth could not work well without wetlands regardless of their size and type - marsh, estuary, mudflats, mire, pond, swamp, delta, reef, billabong, lagoon, shallow seas, bog, bay, lake, floodplain, or tidepool. Wetlands have a remarkable capacity to absorb chemicals, filter pollutants and sediments, and cleanse millions of gallons of essential, life-giving water. They can also function as highly effective sewage treatment works and can break down suspended solids and neutralize harmful bacteria.
Wetlands also play a vital role in the survival of most of the world's birds.
California wetlands are vital wintering habitats for millions of waterfowl migrating along the Great Pacific Flyway, which extends from Canada to Mexico. Unfortunately, the original 3 to 5 million acres of California wetlands has been reduced to barely 450,000 acres, representing an 85 to 90 percent reduction - the greatest percentage loss in the nation. The Bolsa Chica is one of the last. When wetlands are degraded or destroyed the environmental impact is immediate and devastating. Fish, amphibians, marine plants and animals begin to die from pollution and lack of water.