American Wetlands Month is a time when the EPA and our partner federal\, state\, tribal\, local\, non-profit and pri vate sector organizations celebrate the vital importance of wetlands to ou r Nation&rsquo\;s ecological\, economic\, and social health. Wetlands help improve water quality and supply\, reduce flooding and provide critical h abitat for plants\, fish and wildlife.
\nOnce thought of as wastelan ds with no practical use or benefit to society\, our understanding of the importance and value of wetlands has made significant advances in recent d ecades. Previously drained for farming or urban development\, many municip alities are now seeing the benefits of leaving wetlands undisturbed\, and even in constructing new wetlands in and around their metropolitan areas. From flood and erosion control\, to improving water quality and providing habitat for wildlife\, Eric Fuselier\, PWS\, will discuss the ecosystem se rvices provided by wetlands\, and why their preservation and restoration a re important goals to consider as our region continues to grow and develop .
\nEric Fuselier\, PWS\, has had a deep appreciation for wetland ec osystems since he was child when his father would take him to the Bell Slo ugh Wildlife Management Area outside of Little Rock each year to cruise ar ound in their \;jon \;boat. As an adult\, Eric works with engineer s\, architects\, and urban planners as a certified Professional Wetland Sc ientist (PWS) to minimize the impacts to wetlands from the projects they d esign. Eric is also a Certified Wetland Botanist\, and volunteers his time assisting researchers from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) wit h collecting field data for their research on the effects of climate chang e on the wetlands of the Mississippi River Alluvial Valley. Eric also serv es on the Executive Board for the Society of Wetland Scientists&rsquo\; So uth Central Chapter\, a professional organization whose \;mission is & ldquo\;to promote the understanding\, conservation\, protection\, restorat ion\, science-based management\, and sustainability of wetlands.&rdquo\;\n
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