Wetlands are natural treasures that provide our communities with valuable functions and services as well recreational and educational opportunities. Workhorse Wetland Gems illustrate the functional values of wetlands described in WDNR's Wisconsin Rapid Wetland Assessment Methodology including wildlife habitat, fishery habitat, flood/stormwater attenuation, water quality protection, shoreline protection, groundwater and recreation/education. Click here to read how wetlands benefit our communities.

Workhorse Wetland sites were selected with input from our partners and natural resource experts. Click the map image for a printable map of Workhorse Wetland sites, and click the links below to download a one-page "fact sheet" for each site with information on the featured wetland function and how the workhorse site illustrates that function. Click here to download the Wetland Gems program overview for information on how sites were selected, ideas for citizen and community involvement, a visitor’s guide and more. Materials on all of the Gem sites are now available in a full-color, spiral bound compilation -- click here for more information on the Wetland Gems book.

Workhorse Wetlands: Featured Wetland Function WH-1 Turtle Valley Wildlife Area: Wildlife Habitat WH-2 Spoehr’s Marsh: Fishery Habitat WH-3 MMSD Greenseams Program: Flood Attenuation WH-4 Halfway Creek Marsh: Water Quality Protection WH-5 Oconto Marsh: Shoreline Protection WH-6 Pheasant Branch: Groundwater Connections WH-7 Mead Wildlife Area: Recreation & Education

All maps for the Wetland Gems project were created by Carolyn Sandberg of Sandberg Cartography.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Many individuals contributed to this project, including site property owners, members of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Wetland Team, and many other partners and natural resource experts. Special thanks to Eric Epstein, Randy Hoffman, Mary Linton, Tod Highsmith and Carolyn Sandberg for exceptionally generous contributions of time and expertise. Laura England, WWA Outreach Programs Director, led the Wetland Gems project with assistance from Katie Beilfuss, WWA Programs Manager, and Becky Abel, WWA Executive Director.

The McKnight Foundation, which seeks to improve the quality of life for present and future generations through grantmaking, coalition-building and encouragement of strategic policy reform, funded the portion of this project focusing on Mississippi River Basin regions.