Strategic plan
Version 2.0 of the Wetland Wildlife Conservation Program Strategic Plan was finalized in July 2011. The plan articulates the vision, purpose, goals, strategies, and structure of the program. The plan is intended to be dynamic, and periodic updates are anticipated.
Who we are and what we do
The Wetland Wildlife Conservation Program is a voluntary, incentive-based program to protect wetlands and wetland-dependent wildlife on public and private land.
View the wetlands program fact sheet.
Since its inception in 1997, the Colorado Wetlands Program has preserved, restored, enhanced or created almost 220,000 acres of wetlands and adjacent habitat and more than 200 miles of streams. The partnership is responsible for almost $40 million in total funding devoted to wetland and riparian preservation in Colorado.
Wetland Program Services
Funding for all phases of wetland and riparian creation, restoration and enhancement
Funding for conservation easements and fee-title purchase through the Wildlife Habitat Program
Wildlife and aquatic resource inventories
Education and outreach
Project monitoring and evaluation
What is a wetland?
Wetlands are simply lands affected by water, resulting in unique plants and soils. They may be classic cattail areas with a few feet of standing water, areas with very shallow water, or temporary habitats such as playa depressions on the eastern plains that only occasionally have standing water. Riparian areas next to streams that are subject to frequent flooding are also considered wetlands.
Why should you care?
Wetlands comprise less than two percent of Colorado’s landscape but provide benefits to over 75% of the species in the state, including waterfowl and several declining species!
Since the beginning of major settlement activities, Colorado has lost half of its wetlands. By virtue of their position in the landscape, wetlands perform several functions valuable to wildlife and society, including:
Feeding, resting and rearing habitat
Movement corridors
Groundwater recharge
Flood flow alteration
Stream bank stabilization
Sediment and nutrient removal
Additional values include open space, education, and economic benefits, such as those from hunting, fishing, and bird watching.
