We hear a lot about saving the oceans, the rainforest, and the ozone layer—but what about the wetlands? Wetlands are places where the soil is covered with water, or where water is present nearly all year round. Some American wetlands include riparian wetlands, the tundra wetlands of Alaska, the alpine meadows of the west, and dozens of others.

Wetlands are an integral part of the North American ecosystem, yet the lands have suffered much loss over the years. May is American Wetlands Month, so why not take a moment and find more about the wetlands and what you can do to protect them?

10. Be a Sponge

Learn all you can about the wetlands. Good resources include the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Fish & Wildlife Service, and Wetlands Preserve. Be sure to share your knowledge with others.

9. Click for the Cause

At Care2.com you can give free clicks with your mouse and fund protection programs for the wetlands—no money required! Click on “Race for the Rainforest” and wetlands will be one of your options. You can click every day!

8.  Explore a Wetland

There’s no better way to learn about wetlands than to visit one. Click here to find one in your neck of the woods.

7. Explore a Virtual Wetland

Can’t travel to a wetland near you? Click here to visit a watershed in the virtual world and learn more about protecting them.

6. Say it with Postage

If you have some extra funds, buy federal duck stamps to support wetland acquisition.

5. Teach Your Children Well

Host a talk about the wetlands at a school, library, or other public place. Make a display about them, or show photos. Be sure to bring a jar to collect donations and give them to your nearest wetland protection program—or for your own, if you have one.

4. Keep Up on Building Projects

If there are building or zoning projects that may threaten the wetlands in your area, be sure to contact your local representative. Voice your opposition, and try to offer different ideas for where development could take place.

3. Join American Rivers

Pay to become a card-carrying member, or sign up for free alerts to take action and find out about what’s happening to American rivers and wetlands.

2. Give Time

Volunteer at a local watershed or conservation group. Or if you’re really ambitious, go on a volunteer vacation to save international wetlands, from Bavaria to Mexico.

1.  Get Funds, THEN Give Time

Get together with your local community and pick a wetland you would like to restore. Then apply for a restoration grant to turn your idea into action.