John,
Fens are a rare type of peat-forming wetlands found on only a small portion of national forest lands in the U.S. Northeast, Great Lakes, and Rocky Mountains regions.
With the highest biodiversity of any wetland type, these fens support a vast number of rare plant species and invertebrates, from unusual dragonflies to a unique carnivorous plant called the roundleaf sundew. They also absorb carbon, playing a key role in climate resiliency.
But they face mounting threats — including new dams, grazing, pollution, and other human disturbances — that could destroy them and all the life forms they support.
These vulnerable and unique wetlands need stronger safeguards.
So in fall the Center for Biological Diversity and allies petitioned the U.S. Forest Service to issue a rule strengthening their federal protection.
An irreplaceable part of our natural heritage, these rare wetlands take thousands of years to form — in Colorado, just eight inches of peat can take about 2,000 years to accumulate. If fens are damaged, they’re impossible for us to restore and can switch from being carbon sinks to carbon sources.
Support our petition: Tell the Forest Service fens need more federal protection in the face of growing danger.
