Unique Wetlands Found on Watershed Land Since 1997, February 2 has been recognized globally as World Wetlands Day, celebrating the vital role wetlands play in our environment. This year’s theme, “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,” highlights the need for conservation efforts. DEP protects wetlands by acquiring lands that contain them, providing input on activities through permit review and on capital project design, and by stormwater regulation. Wetlands enhance water quality, provide critical habitat, and help control stormwater. While common wetlands like red maple swamps and marshes are widespread, peat wetlands such as bogs and inland fens offer exceptional water storage and carbon capture capabilities. These unique ecosystems form deep organic soils called peat, supporting rare plant and animal species. In April 2024, DEP ecologists investigated a 92-acre peat wetland on City property at the western edge of the Rondout Reservoir basin. Aerial infrared imagery helped identify the site, revealing a rare plant community not previously documented on city watershed lands. Native tamarack and black spruce, both conifers typically found farther north, were observed for the first time. A June visit uncovered another rare species, the purple pitcher plant, which thrives in nutrient-poor, acidic soils by digesting insects for nitrogen. This bog likely supports many more species and plays a crucial role in maintaining clean drinking water. Studying and protecting these wetlands is essential for watershed conservation and a reminder of nature’s value on public lands. Visit World Wetlands Day Using the link below for more information. https://lnkd.in/grFmSzn #NYCWater #NYCWater #Wetlands #WorldWetlandsDay2025 #Stormwater #Reservoir
