Water is more in demand for human use in California than it ever has been. This is putting great pressures on our remaining natural spaces. Wetland habitat in California has been shrinking over the last century; some sources say the loss is as much as 90% and rapidly rising. Urban development is one of the leading causes for loss of these habitats. This site was created to document & promote protection of the wetland habitat in Rocklin, Placer County, and beyond with help from the greater community. What will some of these spaces look like in the years to come? Just as waterways branch out from one city to the next, water connects us all. What happens in one space will surely affect others downstream. No longer can we treat these places as isolated islands, we have a responsibility to the greater ecosystem to which we belong. The best place to start is in our own backyard. By integrating urban wetlands into city planning we have the opportunity to store excess floodwater, improve water quality, provide habitats for fish & wildlife, and help retain water in times of drought. Without such planning wetlands are frequently built upon, drained, and filled in. It is important to pay attention to the environmental results that occur after decisions of land management are made for better or for worse. And should the bad occur? All of us can learn from this – ex malo bonum (out of bad comes good, … assuming we are lucky enough to get another chance to make things right with Mother Nature).

All of the fauna & flora in the cover image above was taken from photos of animals observed in Rocklin CA wetland habitat. Of course they don’t all get together for a photo opportunity but they do share the same spaces at times. Hopefully this site will serve as a natural record of specific wetland habitat. Our goal is that all photos and video posted on this site be taken from actual observations in these locations . We invite the community to share their story.