Patino, V. (2021, December 31). Central Valley Wetlands have almost all disappeared. Turnto23. Retrieved February 7, 2022, from https://www.turnto23.com/news/local-news/central-valley-wetlands-have-almost-all-disappeared 

This article goes over the effects of disappearing wetlands in Central Valley on migrating birds. Because of climate change and the growth of cities, the area of wetlands has diminished. Cleaner water will not only benefit humans but will also benefit wildlife, specifically aquatic birds. The Central Valley Joint Venture hopes to conserve wetlands and create new riverside forests. It also plans to pay farmers to create artificial wetlands for migratory birds. Additionally, the article addresses the issue of water availability and how the cost is high. 

Interestingly, this news source claims that wetlands have almost completely disappeared, but the other sources I researched didn’t address this and focused on the solution. Additionally, I realize this source is probably not the most trustworthy as it doesn’t provide many concrete details. It also doesn’t give an exact location for where the wetlands are. But apart from that, it is good that the state and private companies are trying to restore wetlands for wildlife and humans. Restoring wetlands is an essential part of environmental science.

Egelko, B. (2022, February 1). State ready to fill gaps if High Court Limits Water Law. San Francisco Chronicle, 1/28/2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022, from https://digital.olivesoftware.com/olive/odn/sanfranciscochronicle/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=HSFC%2F2022%2F01%2F28&entity=Ar00103&sk=67375259&mode=text#=undefined

The Clean Water Act protected certain types of water from pollution for 50 years. The Supreme Court wants to narrow the Act’s scope, which threatens certain wetlands. There are arguments of whether the Clean Water Act is specific only to bodies of water, and not wetlands. Politicians are concerned about California wetlands which are extremely important to the environment. Additionally, if wetlands in other states are not protected and destroyed, the damage will be caused to California wildlife and ecosystems. 

I think that the problem in this situation is that laws already put in place are vague and not specific enough, which lets different people interpret the guidelines in different ways. If better regulations can be put in place, there will be less confusion about which ecosystems fall under which laws. This article is related to environmental science because it concerns the Clean Water Act, which is a fundamental member of environmental laws. 

Vigdor, N., & Delkic, M. (2021, October 3). ‘major’ oil spill off California coast threatens wetlands and Wildlife. The New York Times. Retrieved February 7, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/03/us/pipeline-broken-oil-pacific-ocean.html?smid=tw-share 

This article describes a pipeline failure in October that caused a 13-mile oil spill off the coast of Orange County. In a few places, dead fish and birds washed ashore. Parts of Huntington beach were closed, and the third day of the Pacific Airshow was canceled. The Coast Guard led the efforts to mitigate the impacts of the oil on wildlife and ecosystems. The article then describes the spill’s effects (beaches closed, people should stay out of the water, damage dozens of bird species). The event marks the need for California to move away from fossil fuels and oil to prevent similar future disasters.

It is unfortunate that environmental disasters occur, such as oil spills, but at the same time, it is heartening to see humans work together to solve the problem. Especially with anthropogenic catastrophes, I think humans are responsible for protecting the nature we live in. Not just for our sake, but the good of wildlife. This is a good reminder of the dangers of using fossil fuels. California should move towards greener energy sources to protect thousands of animals from being hurt or killed. This article describes an environmental catastrophe, an essential part of environmental science we need to address. 

Stephens, T. (2021, December 15). Optimizing Coastal Wetland Restoration for carbon capture and storage. UC Santa Cruz News. Retrieved February 7, 2022, from https://news.ucsc.edu/2021/12/wetlands-restoration.html 

This article overviews the need for wetlands to absorb and store carbon dioxide, provide habitat for wildlife, prevent flooding, and improve water quality. UCSC has scientists monitoring Elkhorn Slough and creating management guidelines and policies around wetlands. This collaborative project plans to develop a framework for habitat restoration and incorporate carbon dynamics. Scientists from the involved UCs want to maximize carbon burial rates and minimize emissions while considering sea-level rise.

This article sheds light on the fact that wetlands are often overlooked. It is reassuring that scientists are not only taking into account short-term solutions but also planning long-term projects. Another interesting trend I noticed was that many California-based articles on wetland restoration involve the goal of sequestering carbon. At the same time, I didn’t find that a goal when researching articles in the United States. Most articles didn’t put a value on carbon storage. This says a lot about California’s goals, and I like where they are directed. It is also nice that funding for the project will contribute towards educational components, which is very important to our future.

Duggan, Tara. (2021, 7 Dec.)  $63 Million Wetland Restoration Could Be a Blueprint for How California Adapts to Climate Change. But It’s Taking Forever. San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved February 1, 2022, from https://www.sfchronicle.com/climate/article/This-delta-wetland-restoration-will-help-16680372.php#photo-21796303. 

This article goes over advances in a project to restore and protect 30,000 acres of California wetlands as a means to bring back wildlife and sequester carbon. The first phase has been completed, and wildlife in the restored area is flourishing. Scientists hope to use wetlands as a carbon sink instead of forests, which are easier to burn. The California Department of Water Resources plans to set an example to other restoration projects with the Dutch Slough Tidal Marsh Restoration Project. However, the project is only expected to be complete by 2025, making it already two decades long (it started in 2003). The article explains the importance of wetlands, such as acting as a carbon sink and providing a water barrier to sea level rise, as well as providing sanctuary for salmon and other animals. 

This is a fascinating article because it addresses the goal of carbon sequestration, which we have gone over in class with the lecture from UC Steve and the Drawdown project. It is very remarkable that such advancements are happening in California. I am excited to see if this project succeeds because wetlands are permanent carbon sinks. Hopefully, the project can be finished quicker because wetlands are crucial ecosystems. This article is directly related to environmental science since it involves scientists studying the environment and finding ways to solve environmental problems such as restoring wetlands.

Seitz, G., Dunaski, K., Blodgett, B., & Maloy, M. (2021, August 20). Wetland rules put hog factory on hold. Retrieved August 22, 2021, from https://www.stcroix360.com/2021/08/wetland-rules-put-hog-factory-on-hold/

A company called Cumberland LLC wanted to build a hog farm on land that was found to be saturated with water because of being used for growing corn. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources declared the site a protected wetland site, where nothing could be built. Cumberland disagreed, saying that since the wetland was human-made, it could not be considered as something in need of mitigation. The DNR says that if wetlands can’t be avoided, special permits need to be bought. The DNR stopped viewing the proposal, leaving the question unsettled.

I found this story to be very interesting, especially because the case has not been resolved. It brings up the question: does wetland conservation apply to wetlands made from human actions? I would assume it depends on whether the wetland in question has a stable ecosystem that is at risk. Both sides of this case are strong. On one hand, the factory would produce manure that would benefit surrounding agriculture. On the other hand, its fumes would contaminate the surrounding rivers, groundwater, and air.

USDA To Invest $5 Million In Wetland Mitigation Banks. (2021, August 07). Retrieved August 22, 2021, from https://www.yankton.net/neighbors/article_7f48d8ba-f72e-11eb-8ad5-b3a23f82cdb4.html

The United States Department of Agriculture is investing 5 million on a program that supports the development of mitigation banks (restored wetland/aquatic resource area). So far, from the start of the first Wetland Mitigation Bank Program grants in 2016, there are 11 states and 21 wetland bank sites in this program. To participate in the program, farmers have to not farm on converted wetlands. The program is efficient and helps both ecosystems and agricultural production. 

This is the right direction to head in for the U.S. Wetland mitigation banks are good because they allow for wetland thriving and for effective farming. These banks enhance the ecosystems of wetlands and stop them from being depleted. They are beneficial to everyone, and I think that more states should create wetland mitigation programs to help conserve the ecosystems.

Director, J. P. (2021, August 16). U.S. Government Declares Water Delivery Reductions to Southwestern States as Climate Change Devastates Colorado River. Retrieved August 22, 2021, from https://www.audubon.org/news/us-government-declares-water-delivery-reductions-southwestern-states-climate

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced that 2022 will bring water shortages to Arizona, the Republic of Mexico, and Nevada. The announcement also included that the Colorado River’s reservoirs are continuing to decline because of wetland depletion and longer dry seasons. Climate change scientists do not think there will be an end to the water supply decline. The article addresses worries about the future: will short-term solutions be enough? How long until fossil groundwater and reservoirs will run out? Long-term solutions are needed to restore wetlands and improve forest health, or else problems will only get bigger, faster.

This article makes a good point about moving towards the future. The U.S. will need to stop relying on short-term solutions for large-scale problems. Long-term solutions will need to be developed. Even though this article isn’t directly about wetland restoration, it is necessary for solving a problem like the one described. If the nation works harder towards restoring wetlands, larger catastrophes like running out of water in certain areas can be slowed down or avoided for many more years.

Lewis, C. (2021, August 08). Depleted wetlands impact freshwater turtles in Toronto: Great Lakes Echo. Retrieved August 21, 2021, from https://greatlakesecho.org/2021/08/09/depleted-wetlands-impact-freshwater-turtles-in-toronto/

This article addresses the effects of wetland depletion on turtles in Toronto. It refers to a study that was done to assess the turtle communities around the wetlands of Lake Ontario. 85% of wetlands are gone from around the lake, and the invasive species-filled habitats are much less suitable for wildlife than they once were. For the study, 500 turtles from 4 native and 3 nonnative species were assessed using the capture-mark-recapture method. There were many more adults than juveniles, which were dying before reaching adulthood. Because of habitat loss and human threats, freshwater turtles are at risk.

This article was very interesting because if there will be fewer turtles because of wetland loss, then other species are also majorly affected. The study reminded me that everything that happens to habitats also affects the wildlife living inside them and that could affect humans as well since we depend on them. This net of reactions is very important to keep in mind because it shows how much humans are changing the world for the worse.

May 14, 2. J. (2021, May 14). President’s Conservation Plan: Making It Happen for Wetlands. Retrieved August 21, 2021, from https://www.nrdc.org/experts/jon-devine/presidents-conservation-plan-making-it-happen-wetlands

This article talks about and analyzes a report made by the Biden-Harris administration: Biden-Harris Administration Outlines “America the Beautiful” Initiative. It summarizes the report and lists what it is trying to accomplish. They are trying to conserve 30% of natural resources by 2030. This goal is known as 30 by 30. Biden plans to undo Trump’s Dirty Water Rule which reduces wetlands by tens of millions of acres. The article also addresses the Clean Water Act made by the EPA that would further support wetland conservation and restoration and would improve watersheds.

I think the president’s new initiative is going in the correct direction by wanting to conserve wetlands. But I am wondering what is currently being done to move towards the goal since 2030 isn’t very far away. This article shed light on the solutions needed to happen to stop the depletion of wetlands and other natural resources. I hope that the government will try to conserve natural resources more seriously to slow down the Tragedy of the Commons.