The Land Conservation Clinic and the River Basin Center have released the updated Local Wetlands Protection Primer, a guide to help protect wetlands that provide flood prevention, water quality improvements, protection from erosion, support for fisheries and biodiversity, and opportunities for recreation activities. 

Many local communities rely on the Federal Clean Water Act to protect these important resources, but a U.S. Supreme Court decision in 2023 reduced the number of wetlands that qualify for federal protection. 

The primer is designed to provide an overview of the need for wetland protection, and outlines tools that can be (and have been) used by local governments to support local communities’ efforts to protect their drinking water, provide critical wildlife habitat, and create attractive and resilient communities. The 2025 edition replaces a previous edition that served as a resource for 12 years and is now available for download.