U.S. States Can Play Major Role in Conserving, Expanding Carbon-Capturing Habitats

Collected resources on how states can leverage coastal wetlands and peatlands to address the effects of climate change

A long wooden dock stretches over wetlands on a cloudy day.
A wooden dock stretches over wetlands on Bald Head Island, North Carolina. Coastal and terrestrial habitats—including seagrasses, salt marshes, mangroves, forested tidal wetlands, and peatlands—are exceptionally efficient at capturing and storing climate-warming carbon.
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U.S. states and local jurisdictions bear most of the responsibility for governing the nation’s wetlands. As a result, they play a major role in protecting and restoring these waterlogged landscapes—such as seagrasses, salt marshes, mangroves, forested tidal wetlands, and peatlands— that capture and store climate-warming carbon and offer myriad other benefits to people, including clean water and flood protection. Collaboration and commitment among governmental entities, Tribal nations, colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, and researchers are needed to protect and restore these vital habitats as part of larger efforts to address climate impacts.

The resources collected here reflect The Pew Charitable Trusts’ work to help states make progress toward their climate goals by measuring, protecting, restoring, and improving wetland management.

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