Cypress trees on the edge of a flooded wetland habitat.

Conserving Tennessee’s Wetlands

Wetlands are vital to Tennessee’s wildlife, environment, and communities, providing critical habitats, improving water quality, and reducing flood risks. However, with significant losses already and recent Supreme Court decisions putting these regulations in the hands of the states, state-level action is more important than ever to safeguard these essential ecosystems.

Did you Know?

1 million

gallons

of water can be stored by one acre of wetland

60%

of Tennessee’s wetlands have been destroyed

$21.5

billion

Economic value of isolated wetlands in Tennessee

Benefits of Wetlands

Wetlands are essential to Tennessee’s wildlife and communities. These unique ecosystems provide critical habitats for many species, including birds, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. In fact, about 20% of rare species depend on wetlands at some point in their lives.

But wetlands do more than support wildlife—they also keep our environment healthy. They improve water quality by filtering out sediment and pollutants, creating cleaner drinking water for nearby communities. Wetlands also help manage flooding by absorbing excess water, protecting both people and habitats from potential damage.

Aerial view of a wetland in Middle Tennessee.

Wetlands in Tennessee

Tennessee has lost about one million acres—or 60%—of its natural wetlands due to historic land use changes, urban development, sediment buildup, and the construction of dams and reservoirs. Many of the wetlands that remain are geographically isolated. At first glance, they might seem disconnected from nearby rivers or streams, but they are often linked to the surrounding environment through underground water systems like groundwater and aquifers.

Despite their small size and apparent isolation, research shows these wetlands are remarkably effective. They filter pollutants from runoff, helping keep downstream waters clean. They also play a vital role in flood prvention by soaking up and storing floodwaters in areas that lack other natural flood defenses, such as larger wetlands or floodplains.

How Do We Protect Wetlands?

Legislation plays a critical role in conserving Tennessee’s wetlands and other natural resources. It establishes criteria for land and water protections and creates systems to evaluate potential impacts on these resources.

Tennessee’s current wetlands protections effectively safeguard wetlands across the state. Tennessee Wildlife Federation is dedicated to maintaining these vital laws to ensure our wetlands are conserved for future generations.

You can help keep Tennessee’s wetlands thriving by joining our Action Alert email list. Sign up today to be notified when your voice is needed—whether it’s contacting legislators, signing petitions, or other critical actions to conserve our wetlands and natural resources.