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Impact Area

Wetlands

A natural defence system for drought, floods and climate change.

What is a wetland?

What are wetlands and how do they work? Let’s explore these ecosystems that are essential to water, wildlife, people…and the health of our environment.

Wetlands are characterized by waterlogged soils, and support plants and animals that are adapted to these wet environments. You might hear wetlands being called swamps, marshes, bogs or fens. The bottom line is that wetlands—in all of their forms—are important to the health of our planet.

We rely on them for clean water, healthy ecosystems and resilient communities. Wetlands help reduce climate change impacts by storing carbon and mitigate risks of extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods. They sustain the water we drink, the food we eat and the landscapes that inspire us.

Canada’s wetlands

Wetlands in Canada: by the numbers

25% Of the world's wetlands are in Canada

550 Species that rely on Canada's wetlands

up to 70% Of Canada's wetlands lost in developed areas

Wetlands at work

Wetlands are powerful multi-taskers, working quietly in the background of our lives to provide critical services that we can't live without. As nature's unsung heroes, wetlands:

  • Naturally filter pollutants and improve water quality.​
  • Mitigate floods by slowing down the movement of water and by storing it, protecting downstream communities from flooding and storm surges.​​
  • Support a rich variety of life, providing habitat for numerous species that cannot survive elsewhere.​​
  • Store vast amounts of carbon.​

See wetlands at work for yourself, in our animated video.

Wetlands at work for cleaner water

Wetlands at work for cleaner water

Wetlands act as powerful filters, equipped with unique plants and processes that trap sediment and remove pollutants from our water.

Wetlands at work for communities

Wetlands at work for communities

Wetlands can help protect our communities from the impacts of extreme weather by slowing water flow to reduce the risk of flooding.

Wetlands at work for wildlife

Wetlands at work for wildlife

Wetlands support biodiversity: they are places to grow, rest, feed and raise young.

Wetlands at work for health and well-being

Wetlands at work for health and well-being

Being in natural landscapes like wetlands can increase positive emotions and help reduce the risk of depression.

Bring wetlands to your life: join our mailing list

Keen to know more? Canada's wetlands are yours to discover! Our regular email updates deliver timely and trusted news and information on wetlands and wetland restoration projects in communities near you.

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Working together, we can conserve and restore Canada’s wetlands

We lose 80 acres of wetlands daily. With growing scientific evidence of the benefits they provide, we need to safeguard wetlands now and for the future. As Canada’s wetland conservation leader, Ducks Unlimited Canada is taking action against wetland loss by:

  • Conducting on-the-ground conservation.
  • Leading research, technology and innovation to guide decisions.
  • Collaborating with landowners, government, industry, Indigenous Peoples and academics to drive change.
  • Empowering people through education and advocacy.

Help be a force of change: become a member and support our work to conserve and restore wetlands, today.

Become a member

Ducks Unlimited Canada staff members touring and learning about a wetland project in Ontario from Conservation Programs Specialist Nick Krete.

Stories from Canada’s wetlands

What are coastal salt marshes?

What are coastal salt marshes?

Salt marshes are stabilized by plant roots, which bind sediment and soil forming a sturdy mass on the marsh floor.

Breaking the dry spells

Breaking the dry spells

With exceptionally little rainfall across the prairies in the past several years, the true value of retaining wetlands on farmland has become even more apparent.

Biodiversity, pollinators and conservation

Biodiversity, pollinators and conservation

How protecting natural habitats can save our pollinators and boost biodiversity.

The skinny on shinny

The skinny on shinny

This is the season when a unique species appears on frozen ponds and wetlands in communities across the country — the shinny hockey player.

Working together, we can conserve and restore Canada’s wetlands

Our conservation efforts impact diverse areas across the entire country—including your community.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity

Boreal Forest

Boreal Forest

Grasslands

Grasslands

Great Lakes – St. Lawrence

Great Lakes – St. Lawrence

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