Wetland Restoration

Wetlands encompass a wide range of sites and water features.  A wetland can be manmade or artificial, it can be tiny or cover many acres, it can hold water year round or only seasonally. Water and saturated soils is the one feature common to all sites.  Wetland restoration includes such diverse sites as: riparian areas, marshes, swamps, retention ponds, ditches, swales, poorly drained areas, farm ponds, shorelines and low lying areas.

Beautiful wetland vegetation.

Restoring wetland vegetation to a site is crucial if the wetland is to achieve its design function. The vegetation on site will determine how ecologically attractive a wetland is to wildlife. The plants will create habitat for numerous species of insects, amphibians and birds. A combination of shrubs and perennials creates the greatest diversity. 
Wetland restoration can be used to achieve aesthetic goals as well as ecological objectives. Shrubs and perennials can be selected  that look nice but are also valuable wildlife plants. Many wetland plants have colorful flowers that provide nectar for butterflies and insects as well as having interesting foliage.

Wetland just after planting bareroot plants and plugs.

Vegetation can be established from nursery grown plants or by introducing seed. It is more desirable to choose the plants you wish to establish. If you do nothing something will grow but it often is the least desirable species.

Same wetland one year latter.


New plants quickly begin to produce seed and spread providing food and cover for wildllife.

this page updated January 20, 2009