Wetlands

Our Goal

Much of Indiana’s charm lies in our beautiful natural landscape and affordable living – both at risk when we lose our wetlands.

Wetlands offer a host of essential benefits, including groundwater filtration and crucial flood and drought control. However, recent reductions in protections for Indiana’s isolated wetlands have cost Indiana these invaluable and previously free services. Now, Hoosiers are left to foot the bill though rising flood insurance costs, water intrusion into our homes, and poor stormwater management.

Preserving our wetlands is vital for protecting our homes and communities from costly disasters. It’s time for our legislators to take action to regulate wetlands for the benefit of all Hoosiers – not just developers.

We are working with stakeholders and advancing policies to:

  • Reform Indiana’s wetlands policy
  • Promote responsible development
  • Build back our wetlands
  • Protect our homes
photo of Indiana wetlands provided by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources

Indiana’s Polluted Wetlands: Overlooked, Underserved, and Unprecedented

Indiana Wetlands in Crisis Indiana’s wetlands are facing a pollution crisis that’s unprecedented in scope and urgency. Our wetlands and natural resources that play critical roles in our state’s environmental [...]

Take the Pledge for Clean Water in Indiana

Hoosiers deserve clean water, from our tap water to recreational waterways. We believe that everyone has a right to access clean water free of pollutants, chemicals, lead, microplastics, to [...]

More on Wetland Resources

Read the most recent blog posts on water resources or check out the resources below!

Resources

How Wetlands Work (Video)

Ducks Unlimited Great Plains demonstrates the important services wetlands provide to protect our homes and clean our water.

Constructed Wetlands in North Carolina (Video)

The City of Durham, North Carolina gives a short overview of their use of manmade wetlands as integral parts of their stormwater system.

Wetlands: Nature’s Conservation Hero

An overview of wetland benefits and how to help conserve wetlands as landowners from the US Natural Resource Conservation Service.

NC Governor Protects State Wetlands

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signed an Executive Order in 2024 that sets goals to restore wetlands after state and federal actions limited wetland protections. This ambitious plan acknowledges the importance of wetlands for flood control in a state seeing flood insurance rates skyrocket.

Houston Using Nature-Based Solutions to Control Flooding

Read how Houston, TX is embracing benefits of wetlands and other natural resources to combat flooding. This project was estimated to save about 2,000 homes.

Wetlands Conservation for Landowners (Federal)

Learn how to use your land to help preserve wetlands with Natural Resource Conservation Service’s Wetlands Reserve Easements. This page includes information on the various options for easements and details eligibility requirements.

Wetlands Conservation for Landowners (IN)

State programs for using your land to help preserve wetlands through Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources.

Indiana’s Wetlands

A brief on historic and current wetlands in Indiana from Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources.

IN State Regulated Wetlands Program

State wetland information and regulatory guidance from Indiana’s Department of Environmental Management’s.

Printable Materials

EPA Wetlands Fact Sheets

The US Environmental Protection Agency’s bank of printable wetlands fact sheets.