Informed users can reduce the impact. Special Habitats The Conte Refuge has identified 180,000 acres of special habitats in the watershed. One half of the United States wetlands has been destroyed. Wetlands have many benefits to people, fish and wildlife. They control flooding, purify water, recharge groundwater, and provide productive habitat.
Tidal wetlands are very productive ecosystems.
The Connecticut River has internationally significant tidal wetlands. Grasslands, especially large areas, are a declining habitat type in the Connecticut River watershed. Grassland bird species need habitat management to maintain open areas. Some species require large areas of unbroken forest. The timber rattlesnake and some songbirds are examples.