New York wetlands get federal boost

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced awarding a $500,000 Wetland Program Development Grant to the Research Foundation of the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. The grant will be used to evaluate and protect over 100 New York wetlands sites.

Wetlands are vital parts of New York’s ecosystem due to their ability to filter polluted water runoff, control flooding by absorbing water from excessive rain and melting snow and provide a habitat for numerous species of fish and wildlife.

The State University of New York will work in conjunction with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Department of Transportation on this project.

Image: Aerial view of wetlands in St. Lawrence County, New York (Credit: USDA)