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

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.