EPA Promotes American Wetlands Month, 2009: Learn! Explore! Take Action!

Throughout the month of May, EPA and its wetland partners across the country are celebrating the vital importance of wetlands to our nation’s ecological, economic, and social health.  EPA and a host of other public and private partners are planning a number of events as part of this year’s celebration. In particular, 2009 marks the 20th Anniversary of the National Wetlands Awards program (143 champions of wetlands conservation honored since 1989). On May 12, the Environmental Law Institute, EPA, and other federal partners will, once again, honor a diverse group of individuals for their extraordinary commitment to conserving wetlands at an award ceremony on Capitol Hill (http://www.nationalwetlandsawards.org) Other highlights include EPA’s Science Notebook focus on wetlands that will highlight the diversity of wetlands and wetland research being undertaken by EPA across the country using assorted multi-media tools such as blogs, podcasts, interviews, and photo diaries http://www.epa.gov/sciencenotebook and a National Webcast “Wetlands-Re-connecting Youth with Nature” on May 28th” that will explore the unique role wetlands can play in connecting young people with nature http://www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/wacademy/webcasts  EPA regional activities planned for the month of May include educational displays, discussions, presentations, special feature articles, wetland walks and celebrations, and an array of other outreach and communication events.  Information on national, regional, and local activities planned for May will be updated and posted throughout the month on EPA’s American Wetlands Month website: http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/awm.   Feel free to contact Kathleen Kutschenreuter (202) 566-1383 or Gregg Serenbetz (202) 566-1253 for more information.