American Wetlands Month: Prime Hook Refuge speaks on the importance of wetlands
MILTON, De. – Wetlands, mires, and marshes. These are all along the coast, and all-important parts of our ecosystem and existence.
May is American Wetlands Month at Prime Hook Wildlife Refuge, workers take pride in knowing they are doing something that benefits not just the environment, but everyone in it.
“A lot of people will not even, will not fully appreciate the value of wetlands that are near them, and might see them as waste places… salt marshes can help buffer against storm … they also support a lot of species that are of interest for commercial harvest, things that we eat, things that we might go fishing for.” Susan Guiteras is the Supervising Wildlife Biologist at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge and knows all too well that’s not the case.
Costal saltwater marshes are very popular in Delaware and make up majority of Prime Hook’s refuge. Kate Toniolo, Project Manager says it’s also important for you to protect wetlands in your own backyard, so that you ensure you’re preventing runoff and pollution in those areas. The main thing is keeping our wetlands intact. “Delaware is the lowest lying state in the country, so we have a lot of wetlands, a lot of wet areas, marshes and freshwater marshes and they do everything.” Guiteras adds they also support a lot of species that are of interest for commercial harvest, things that we eat, things that we might go fishing for or crabbing for.
Conservationists say pollutants aren’t the only threat they face, and there are many organizations and coalitions around Delmarva to protect the wildlife. “In Delaware, I would say the biggest threat would be pressures from development, not necessarily on the development itself, but even nearby might affect the Water flow and change pollution,” says Guiteras. “Wetlands even if they have federal protections under law, if they have a lot of development around them, the wetlands themselves could be in danger.”
Prime Hook experts say taking the smallest step to protect the wetlands, can have a huge ripple effect on preserving the ecosystem. Toniolo says, “knowing if you have wetlands in your neighbor or in your backyard and to basically keep those areas clean,” is a way to make an effort to help the environment.
Guiteras is certain if people knew more, they would do more. “Wetlands are really neat habitats if you want to go out and do some wildlife watching… Having education is important as well as laws that help preserve them benefit everybody… most important, they’re very existence is helping you in more ways than you realize.” Prime Hook says the community is welcome to come and enjoy the scenery this summer, and all year round. Some areas may be off limits for preservation or endangered species, but officials say there is still plenty of room to fish, sit, and enjoy yourself on the trails and board walks.
