Preserving Nature

25 Preserving Nature My grandparents love nature. They enjoy hiking and looking at birds, insects, and all the wildlife that shares the planet with us. My grandparents own a beautiful farm with fields, a forest and a little river flowing across it. They have lived there all their lives. Now that they are getting older, my grandparents are thinking about the future of their farm. “ It's our duty to look after this wonderful world, " my grandma always says. “ We should give nature a helping hand whenever we can. " Grandpa definitely agrees. He loves his pond and wet-lands. " Not so long ago, everyone was getting rid of wetlands, " Grandpa explained to me. “ They didn't know what we know today about how wetlands work, and how important they are to a healthy ecosystem. People thought that they were yucky and unproductive. Nearly all the wetlands were drained during those days. "

Luckily for us, Grandpa and Grandma did not drain the wetlands on their property. If you take the time to look, you will soon discover that wetlands are home to thousands of creatures, big and small. An amazing number of plants, animals and insects depend on wetlands for their survival. Wetlands do other important things too, such as help control water levels. When it rains, the wetlands soak up the water, preventing big floods. They help with pollution too. As polluted water flows through a wetland, much of the pollution is filtered out of the water. Grandpa and Grandma made a big decision a while ago. They decided to preserve the wetlands on their farm as a protected area. They contacted a non-profit group whose mission was to help preserve wetlands for future generations. If a landowner wants to save a wetland, this group provides money and labour to help make it happen. Grandpa and Grandma recently signed the agreement to preserve their wetlands. Grandma says it makes her really happy to know that long after she is gone, people will still be able to enjoy the beauty of her “ little piece of heaven" , as she always calls it.