Pine Log State Forest, Florida

© plainpicture/Cavan Image

It’s American Wetlands Month. In praise of bogs, swamps, and marshes

Swamps and bogs probably aren’t the first things that come to mind when you think of America’s celebrated landscapes. That’s a shame, since wetlands like these play a crucial role in the health of our ecosystems. In addition to providing unique habitat to the many species that call wetlands home, they filter water, provide a natural buffer from storms, absorb flood waters, and capture carbon from the atmosphere—helping to protect our planet from climate change.Each year in the month of May, environmental groups and partners celebrate the humble bog as part of American Wetlands Month. You can find some of the country’s healthiest examples of wetlands in Florida, including swamps, which are dominated by forests, and marshes, which are home to grasses, rushes, and weeds. Today’s homepage photo comes from Pine Log State Forest, located near the town of Ebro in the Florida Panhandle. Established in 1936, it’s Florida’s oldest state forest, and a fine place to explore.