Save the Prairie Potholes — Do Not Weaken Wetland Drainage Protections

To the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, members of Congress representing the Prairie Pothole Region, and elected officials across the country whose wildlife populations depend on these northern breeding grounds:

The Prairie Pothole Region is one of North America’s most important wetland ecosystems. These wetlands provide essential breeding and nesting habitat for millions of ducks and other migratory birds while also supporting shorebirds, songbirds, frogs, mammals, pollinators, native plants, and countless other species.

We are asking our federal leaders to maintain strong protections for federally protected Prairie Pothole wetlands and reject changes that could make it easier for drainage systems to drain or degrade these irreplaceable habitats.

This is not simply a northern issue.

Wildlife raised in the Prairie Pothole Region migrates hundreds and sometimes thousands of miles across the United States. Birds produced in these northern breeding grounds eventually reach southern states such as Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, Florida, and other Gulf Coast and southern areas.

What happens in the Prairie Potholes affects wildlife populations across America.

These wetlands also provide benefits far beyond waterfowl. Healthy wetlands and surrounding prairie habitat help:

Provide breeding and nesting habitat for ducks and migratory birds.
Support bees, butterflies, native plants, and other pollinators.
Hold and filter water naturally.
Reduce runoff, flooding, and erosion.
Support frogs, mammals, shorebirds, songbirds, and other wildlife.
Maintain healthy soil, water, and productive landscapes.
Preserve hunting, birdwatching, conservation, and outdoor traditions.
Protect wildlife populations for our children and grandchildren.
We recognize that farmers and conservationists are not enemies. Agriculture is essential to America, and farmers should be part of the solution.

We support productive agriculture while also believing that wetlands Americans have invested in protecting should remain protected.

There must be ways to support farmers and landowners without sacrificing protected wetlands and the wildlife that depends upon them.

Once a wetland is drained or permanently altered, restoring the original ecosystem may be extremely difficult or impossible.

We respectfully ask our federal leaders to:

Maintain strong protections for federally protected Prairie Pothole wetlands.

Do not weaken drainage-tile safeguards in ways that could drain or degrade protected wetlands.

Base future decisions on sound wildlife, wetland, and hydrological science.

Recognize the importance of ducks, migratory birds, pollinators, native plants, water quality, and the entire Prairie Pothole ecosystem.

Work with farmers and landowners on responsible solutions that allow productive agriculture without sacrificing protected wetlands.

Our children and grandchildren deserve to inherit skies filled with migrating waterfowl, healthy pollinator populations, clean water, thriving prairie wetlands, and abundant wildlife.

Protect the breeding grounds in the North so wildlife can continue reaching the South.

Please protect the Prairie Potholes.

Once they are gone, we may never get them back.

Sign this petition. Share it. Make your voice heard.

Protect our wetlands. Protect our wildlife. Protect our future.