Why are wetlands important?

Yesterday was World Wetlands Day and many organizations posted ideas and information you could use to help your students understand the importance of our precious wetlands in Florida. 

1) Watch the video from WorldWetlandsDay.org

After watching the video, tell students that the theme for 2021 is the connection between healthy wetlands and our supply of water, our most essential natural resource. ask students to record the questions they have. According to an article in the Harvard Business Review, asking questions unlocks learning and improves interpersonal communication. When students ask their own questions, they have already engaged their brain and become more invested in finding a solution. 

 2) Research multiple sources.
Engage students with the resources below. They can read the factsheet on Wetlands and Water and watch the video. While they read/view, tell them to search for answers to their questions. 

Before students view the video by Wetlands International, ask them to watch for some of the problems and solutions. 

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3) Provide links to other website resources
Students can use the following websites to conduct more research about the importance of clean water and the connections to wetlands. The United Nations SDG website will provide information on the importance of clean water as an essential natural resource. The other two sites will provide connections to wetlands and clean water.

• United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water 
• WorldWetlandsDay.org
• Wetlands.org

4) Create a local, historical connection
Allow students to investigate the variety of resources on the Florida Everglades from the Florida Center for Instructional Technology. As they view the articles, songs, maps, and other resources, students can relate what they learned about wetlands to Florida.