Musings of a New Naturalist: Vital Wetlands and a Hopeful Message

Fall evening at Walden Pond, Boulder, CO. The pond is named after Walden “Wally” Toevs who headed the conservation project beginning in the 1970s. (Photo by Carolyn Combs)

A few wetlands dot the semi-arid land in and around Boulder, Colorado. At first, I was surprised that they are called wetlands. They appeared small and manmade, a far cry from the vast swamps and marshes I remember from my childhood in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and time in Michigan.

I dismissed the significance of these “wetlands” until I attended a naturalist training at one. That day, I spied plentiful waterfowl, plus an osprey, an eagle, and a heron. I noticed insects buzzing all around – dragonflies, cicadas, grasshoppers, and native bees. Fish leapt and slapped the water. It was a great place to introduce students to the vital functions of wetlands as water purifiers, flood mitigators, a water source for an array of resident and migratory animals, and nurseries for insects and fish that are a vital part of the food web.

After that surprising day, I looked into the history of the local wetlands. I learned that almost all of them are manmade. The amazing thing is that area residents called for their creation. Citizens wanted to turn old, depleted gravel pits into quality habitat for wildlife and recreation. County and city governments made it happen, and restoration continues to this day. While there is a long history of resource extraction and habitat destruction, beginning with the Colorado Gold Rush around 1858, there is also a long history of habitat restoration and protection in the Boulder area. It’s uplifting to know and share this positive, empowering message with students.

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