WETLAND STEWARDS PROGRAM

(WATCHFROGS)

What are WatchFrogs?
Wetlands are vital to the health of our watershed.   They control flooding, reduce erosion, filter sediment, capture nutrients and provide habitat for fish and wildlife (including frogs and toads!) Michigan has lost over 50% of its wetlands since European settlement.  Citizen involvement is imperative if wetlands are to be protected. 

The WatchFrog program is designed to provide volunteers with the resources and tools to become active in wetland protection at the local level.  Discussion topics include wetland types and their functions, wetland regulation, mitigation, and the permitting process, and a call to action portion. This program is a great opportunity for those interested in learning more about wetlands or for those who want to get active in wetland protection! 

A training workshop is held in April every year. Check back in January for date and location.

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Relevant Websites:

Government/Regulatory  Sites:
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality: Wetland Protection
http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3313_3687---,00.html

US Army Corp of Engineers: Detroit District
http://www.lre.usace.army.mil/

US Environmental Protection Agency: Wetlands Resources
http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/

US Fish and Wildlife Service: Wetlands/NWI
http://www.fws.gov/nwi/

USGS National Wetlands Research Center
http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/

USGS Great Lake Science Center
http://www.glsc.usgs.gov/

Great Lakes Commission
http://www.glc.org/
NRCS: Wetland Reserve Program
http://www.mi.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/wrp.html

NRCS: Wetland Science Institute
http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/WLI/

Ducks Unlimited: Wetland Conservation
http://www.ducks.org/conservation/wetland_functions.asp

Other Important Wetland Websites:
Association of State Wetland Managers, Inc.
http://aswm.org/

Society of Wetland Scientist
http://www.sws.org/

Wetland Regulation Center
http://www.wetlands.com/index.html