March 17, 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:  Elana Cohen, (202) 429-1965 ext. 299

Washington, DC -- The League of Women Voters Education Fund (LWVEF) unveils today its new Wetlands Web Walk.  The Wetlands Web Walk contains valuable information on finding partners, identifying need, fundraising and maintaining momentum for community outreach efforts, as well as an overview of innovative wetlands education projects developed and implemented by local Leagues across the country.

 "Once again the League is using the internet as a crucial link to citizen participation.  The Wetlands Web Walk will encourage activism and community problem solving and will increase understanding of the values wetlands provide to the larger community," said Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins, Ph.D., chair of the LWEF.

Wetlands link land and water and include marshes, swamps, bogs and more.  Among other functions, they reduce flood and storm damage, provide important wildlife and fish habitat, and protect drinking water sources.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that about half of the 200 million acres of wetlands in the contiguous 48 U.S. states at the time of European colonization have been lost.  A growing understanding of the vital importance of the United States' remaining wetlands has led to a dramatic shift over the past 20 years to policies that protect wetlands.

During 1997 and 1998, local Leagues of Women Voters across the nation used small grants to carry out creative citizen education programs focused on wetlands protection.  For example, the LWV of Pensacola, Florida launched a community-wide effort to develop the Perdido River Walk Nature Trail in 1998.  In addition to widening the trail, the League built a boardwalk and installed educational signs and markers along the trail.  The committee also organized a trail dedication ceremony and raised additional funds by creating 'Friends of the Perdido River Walk.'

Additional projects discussed on the Wetlands Web Walk include student boat tours, bus trips for elected officials, community workshops and the creation of a community Wetlands Week.

According to Florida League member Barbara Goggins, "the success of the project was two fold.  First, we were successfully worked with a diverse group of individuals and organizations.  Second, we now have an accessible trail through a beautiful wetland."

Since 1996, the League of Women Voters Education Fund has been educating citizens around the country on the need for wetland protection.  The project is funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds.

The League of Women Voters  is a nonpartisan organization working to encourage the active and informed participation of citizens in government and to empower citizens to shape better communities worldwide.