This is World Wetlands Day. (Fri Feb 2)
It's the day to celebrate what are known as the "kidneys of nature."
The Essex Region Conservation Authority points out we've lost about 95% of the wetlands in the area.
Spokesperson Danielle Steubing says ERCA is now building new wetlands to compensate.
Steubing says wetlands can help with pollution and flooding.
"Filter pollutants that run off thr ground before that water makes its way into our Great Lakes. So filtering contaminants" explain Steubing "And they can also act as storage units during periods of extreme rainfall they can store additional water and then release it back slowly"
She says ERCA is working with the Caldwell First Nation to create a wetland area.
"There was an abandoned marina out at Sturgeon Creek which eventually leads to Lake Erie" says Steubing "So working with the First Nation we've removed all of the old sheet steel and the boat docks and created a coastal wetland habitat at that location"
Steubing says another new wetland is connected to Hillman Marsh and could help reduce blue-green algae blooms.
"to create a wetland in Lebo Creek, which will not only have a traditional habitat value" says Steubing, "But is also going to be used to research practices to filter phosphorous in particular out of the water before it reaches Lake Erie"