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In your backyard <br />any yards can support a backyard wetland that <br />benefits you and your community. Letting runoff <br />from your roof, parking area, and lot slowly filter <br />through a mini wetland helps prevent pollution of neighbor- <br />ing creeks and may help prevent flooding. <br />16 <br />Where to put a wetland <br />Low areas that remain wet or damp much of the year are the <br />easiest places to establish wetlands. Any depression that <br />collects rainwater or runoff from downspouts, or serves <br />as the path of drainwater leaving your yard, is an excellent <br />spot to plant wetland piants.You'll create a backyard <br />wetland area that will be very low maintenance. There <br />will be no more "bogged down" lawn mowers because no <br />mowing will be needed! The area will attract wildlife and filter <br />the water draining off your property. If you do not have an <br />appropriate natural site, you can create a wetland the same <br />way you would a backyard pond. Do not put excess fertilizer <br />or pesticides on your lawn or other areas feeding your <br />wetland. <br />How to build a wetland <br />Partially blocking an existing drainage way or digging a shal- <br />low basin may be all you need to do if you have clay soil that <br />naturally holds water. In better drained soil or where you want <br />your wetland to stay wet most of the time, you can dig a shal- <br />low depression and bury a plastic liner as you would to create <br />a backyard pond. How long the area stays flooded or wet dur- <br />ing the growing season is key to the types of plants to use. If <br />runoff will not naturally keep the area wet enough, you will <br />need to have a supply of water available for occasional use. <br />• <br />• <br />