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.

Wisconsin legislature backs wetlands restoration. Leader. (2021, August 12). https://www.leadertelegram.com/country-today/outdoors/wisconsin-legislature-backs-wetlands-restoration/article_38636d5b-8cf5-5f3c-9ac4-3d4126199476.html. 

The state of Wisconsin has recently passed new legislation that will aid in the restoration of wetlands. About 5 million acres of wetlands in Wisconsin have been lost, so the legislation is much needed and will hopefully allow major state-wide restoration. The legislation gives permits and financial help to restore the wetlands of Wisconsin. Two years ago, legislation passed giving funding to Ashland County. This funding allowed for demonstration of the restoration and helped in the process of passing the newer legislation. 

The article described new legislation that was passed in Wisconsin that will directly benefit the restoration of wetlands. This legislation will allow more restoration that is much needed in a state that has lost almost 50% of it’s natural wetlands. My reaction to the article was surprising, because I did not expect large government to focus on the needs of the environment. Overall I was definitely pleased with the new legislation.

Smith, D. (2021, August 6). Metroparks meetup: An inside look at Phase 2 of Howard Marsh Metropark. https://www.13abc.com. https://www.13abc.com/2021/08/06/metroparks-meetup-an-inside-look-phase-2-howard-marsh-metropark/. 

A few years ago, the Howard Marsh Metropark restoration project was one of the largest such projects ever opened in the United States. After a few years of work, the second phase of the long project will begin. For the last century, the land has been used for agricultural purposes, so the restoration of a wetland will not be an easy task. Over 200 acres of land will need to be transformed. However, at the end of the project, people can expect a beautiful land that can be enjoyed by people and wildlife alike.

The article talked about a large project that was currently underway. The land that had up until recently been used for agriculture had been sold and was being converted into a wetland. To me, this showed how we can restore natural areas even after they have been used and abused for the production of things like our food. I was impressed that this project was approved, because it seemed like such a big commitment.

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.