Mission Statement and Goals

The mission of the Society of Wetland Scientists’ (SWS) Wetlands of Distinction initiative is to promote awareness, appreciation, and knowledge of some of the World’s most ecologically sensitive landscapes by creating the first-ever one-stop shop for information on high functioning wetlands throughout the World.

The goals of the Wetlands of Distinction initiative are to:

• Increase public awareness and appreciation of wetlands and their many human and environmental benefits by creating and publicizing a showcase of top-tier wetlands
• Form partnerships with state natural resource agencies and NGOs to identify high-quality wetlands, wetlands of high human-environmental importance, and biologically unique wetlands for Wetlands of Distinction inclusion
• Engage the public including outdoor enthusiasts, academics, educators, and the curious in wetland science and geography using an interactive Wetlands of Distinction website