United StatM Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water (WH-556F). Office of Wetlands, Oceans. and Watersheds (A-104 F) EPA843-F-93-001 cc March 1993 „ ?* WETLANDS FACT SHEET # 29 EPA REGION VII IRC EPA's Outreach Efforts 069175 EPA's Wetlands Division marshals a variety of tools to protect wetlands effec- tively. One of the primary tools is outreach, including fostering public and private part- nerships, providing technical assistance, and educating the public. The Wetlands Divi- sion and EPA's Regional Offices are actively involved in outreach initiatives that include: • creating partnerships with the agricul- tural community, private landowners, State and local governments, and other Federal agencies; • educating the public, children, and adults; and • providing technical assistance to State and local governments as well as pri- vate, and non-profit organizations. BACKGROUND In order to increase long-term wet- lands conservation and management, it is necessary to enhance public understanding of the value of wetlands as well as support innovative programs that encourage pri- vate, State and local actions to conserve wetlands. OUTREACH INITIATIVES • EPA Wetlands Protection Hotline: (1-800-832-7828): A toll free telephone ser- vice, operated by a contrac- tor to EPA, that is respon- sive to public interest, ques- tions, and requests for in- formation about wetlands. In its first year of operation (March 1991- February 1992), the Hotline received and responded to over 14,100 calls, an average of more than 1,100 per month. •American Wetlands Month—Across the country each May, Federal agencies, State and local governments, and private and non-profit organizations come together vol- untarily to increase public awareness of the values and productivity of wetlands, en- courage people to enjoy these resources, and to protect, recognize, enhance, com- memorate, and restore our Nation's wet- lands. •Audubon's America: A program to pro- tect, conserve, restore, en- hance and interpret the natural and cultural re- source values of the land and water areas in the 35 States where John James Audubon lived, traveled, wrote, painted, and observed. This will be accomplished by recognizing and establishing a system of connected public and privately owned natural areas in the mid-western and eastern United States. •Sponsorship of Workshops and Confer- ences: EPA sponsors a vari- ety of forums encouraging in- formed discussion on wet- lands issues including State programs, wetlands and wa- tershed management, categorization, miti- gation, altered wetlands, and education. • Available Publications: Private Landowner's Wetlands Assistance Guide; Agriculture and Wetlands: a Compilation of Factsheets; Beyond the Es- tuary: ThelmportanceofUp- EPA \ stream Wetlands in Estuarine Processes; and America's Wetlands: Our Vital Link Be- tween Land and Water. For more information,, contact the EPA Wetlands Hotline at 1-800-832-7828 * •contractor operated ------- |