Pembroke Creek
Chowan County, NC

The wetlands of the Carolina coastal plain, like this cypress swamp on the edge of Pembroke Creek, are beautiful but delicate.

“Scientists estimated that 53 percent of wetlands in the continental United States have been lost either to agriculture or development. With the loss of these ecosystems, there have been many consequences including increased flooding, degraded water quality, and the destruction of habitat for fish, birds, and wildlife. Not until the twentieth century did Americans begin to recognize the important natural values of wetlands.” Ann Vileisis, Discovering the Unknown Landscape

The rate of wetlands destruction has slowed in the 20^th Century but has not stopped. They remain vulnerable and need our protection.