Have you ever visited one of Marquette County’s wetlands and wondered about some of the strange plants or animals living there? This array of species is due to the unique ecosystem that wetlands provide! There are many types of wetlands that vary in where water comes from, nutrient level, pH, and how they formed.

A popular wetland to visit in Marquette County is Wetmore Pond or Wetmore Bog. It has thick floating mats of vegetation covering the water that harbors many species of plants that aren’t found in other ecosystems. This includes cranberries, cotton grass, and even carnivorous plants such as pitcher plants and sundews. Animals such as beavers, muskrats and many species of birds thrive in these types of ecosystems. 

This delicate system provides many benefits not only to plants and animals, but also to us humans. Wetlands are like nature’s kidneys in that they purify our water and keep it clean from sediment and pollutants― contributing to our beautiful, clean Lake Superior. In addition to water purification, wetlands are also a carbon sink meaning they store large amounts of carbon and keep excessive carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.

In a world with increasing climate chaos, this is an invaluable service wetlands provide us. The current changing climate is leading to different precipitation and temperature patterns which can then cause flooding. Wetlands also serve as a buffer for floods and act as a sponge to collect the excess water. 

Many people don’t realize the importance of wetlands and see them as wasted space. This leads to the land being developed even though it ultimately creates more issues with flooding, unstable foundations, and dirty water. There is an increasing amount of development of wetland ecosystems throughout the world, and they need our voices to protect them.

A major goal of Citizens for a Safe and Clean Lake Superior, a Marquette-local advocacy group, is wetland protection. They host near monthly Superior On Tap events at Ore Dock Brewing Company where speakers come in to talk about local wetlands, watersheds, or other environmental issues. 

It has been shown that getting outside improves health, both physical and mental. Wetlands provide a wonderful opportunity to explore our beautiful environment and see a unique ecosystem in action.