Shedd Aquarium and Partners Designate First-Ever Wetlands Week, Spotlighting Threatened Illinois Ecosystems

The first week of February has been dubbed “Wetlands Week,” a coordinated effort led by Shedd Aquarium in response to shrinking protections for these important and dwindling ecosystems. Throughout the week and beyond, Shedd and environmental partners will share facts, stories and programming to inform the public about the surprising role wetlands play in our lives and health. Experts are also asking Illinoisans to raise their voices in support of protections to safeguard wetlands across the state.

“Only 10% of Illinois wetlands still exist today, and what remains is punching way above its weight in terms of environmental benefits,” said Brian Gill, senior director of government affairs and policy at Shedd Aquarium. “Wetlands are our lifeline, providing home to thousands of plant and animal species, filtering out pollutants from our drinking water, reducing flooding in our neighborhoods and mitigating the impact of climate change. We must act now to protect what is left.”

Why Now

The first week of February was chosen as the home for Wetlands Week because wetlands are poised to lose important federal protections very soon. The federal government is taking steps to narrow the definition of protected waters under the Clean Water Act, which could leave over 94% of Illinois wetlands vulnerable to pollution and destruction. The narrowing definition stems from the 2023 Sackett v. EPA Supreme Court decision, which limited protections to only permanently ponded wetlands that are connected to large lakes and rivers, despite the critical nature of ephemeral wetlands for seasonal amphibian and insect breeding, and the role that these areas play in absorbing floodwater and protecting homes and other infrastructure.

This week was also chosen because it coincides with other related pre-existing awareness days such as World Wetlands Day on Feb. 2 and Reverse the Red Day on Feb. 7. By combining these two environmentally focused moments, Shedd hopes to bring greater attention to these habitats and the species that call them home.

Defend the Ten

Despite the federal government’s harmful actions, Illinois can lead the way to protect these vulnerable habitats and the animals that call them home. For Wetlands Week, Shedd is asking the public to make their voices heard and urge Governor Pritzker to lead Illinois agencies and the General Assembly to support an effective wetland protection program to defend the remaining 10% of wetlands. Residents can use Shedd’s pre-written template to easily personalize and send a letter to Governor Pritzker.

Some additional ways folks can get involved include:

• Volunteering at a Shedd Action Day and helping restore wetland habitats by removing invasive plants like European buckthorn.

• Donating to Shedd and other local environmental organizations to support research, restoration and advocacy efforts for Illinois wetlands. A visit to Shedd or membership also supports the aquarium’s mission to protect wetlands!

• Spreading the word about the importance of wetlands – and the urgent need for their protection – with family, friends and community members.

• Visiting Shedd Aquarium to learn more about wetlands and take part in programming that is designed to educate and activate guests.

Researching Wetlands and Their River Linkages

For years, Shedd biologists have been studying wetland habitats and the animals that live there. In wetlands around Chicagoland, Dr. Melissa Youngquist monitors amphibians, reptiles and aquatic insects and how changes to their environment, such as habitat restoration or climate change, affect these populations.

In tributaries that connect to wetlands across the county, Dr. Kentaro Inoue is conducting freshwater mussel surveys to better understand some of the most endangered species in the world – which also serve as the “livers” of our waterways by filtering out pollutants. Shedd has pledged to safeguard over a dozen species of freshwater mussels through the Reverse the Red initiative, which is a global movement that ignites strategic cooperation and action to ensure the survival of wild species and ecosystems. Organizations worldwide celebrate these efforts on Reverse the Red Day.

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Photo Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium