Wetlands do not look impressive. A marshy stretch of land along a river. A low-lying area that stays soggy after rain. A pond surrounded by cattails and reeds. They look like nothing in particular. But wetlands are among the most productive and valuable ecosystems on the planet. And they are disappearing faster than almost any…

Freshwater is one of the most important resources on the planet, but it is also one of the easiest to take for granted. Rivers, lakes, wetlands, aquifers, and streams support drinking water, food production, wildlife, recreation, and local economies. When these systems are polluted, drained, overused, or poorly managed, the effects reach far beyond the…