Protecting Wetlands Worldwide

In this episode of Equity In Every Drop, host Thomas Hynes speaks with two influential leaders dedicated to the preservation of critical ecosystems. The episode opens with Great Salt Lake Waterkeeper Amy Wicks, who discusses her efforts to protect the largest remaining wetland ecosystem in the American West. Amy elaborates on her background in child advocacy and transition into water policy, sharing her experiences serving on the Ogden City Council. She highlights the Great Salt Lake's significant decline in water levels due to upstream water diversions, primarily for outdoor use such as lawns and golf courses, and discusses the severe ecological impacts stemming from this loss—particularly on migratory bird populations and air quality. She emphasizes the importance of a national and international collaborative approach as well as introduces the 4200 Project, a policy initiative aimed at raising the lake's water levels to 4198 feet to sustain its health and ecological balance.Bocas de Ceniza Waterkeeper Liliana Guerrero joins the conversation with insights into her organization's mission to protect Columbian rivers, wetlands, and coastal zones through community engagement, legal advocacy, and scientific monitoring. She speaks on the significance of wetlands and  Ramsar sites in Colombia (the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an international treaty established in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands), describing their role as critical habitats for over 190 migratory bird species. Underlining the threats these habitats face, such as deforestation, contamination, and climate change, Liliana notes the accelerated rate of wetland decline compared to forests. She elaborates on her work in the legislative field, coordinating efforts to recognize Colombia's rivers as legal entities deserving of special ecological and cultural protection. She also stresses the significant role civil society and Waterkeeper groups play in promoting wetland governance, defending environmental defenders, and translating global frameworks into actionable local projects.

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