Wetlands are many different things to many different people.
Some people have never heard of or thought of wetlands. Others are working actively to protect wetlands because of their importance. Wetlands include areas like freshwater and saltwater marshes, wet meadows, swamps, lagoons, bogs and prairie potholes. All wetlands, whether coastal or inland, provide special habitats that serve areas far beyond their boundaries. Wetlands are uniquely important to plants, animals, humans and the total environment.