Utah Wetlands Interpretive Network

Only one percent of Utah is wet. It is an essential one percent that provides habitat for 80 percent of Utah’s wildlife sometime during their life. For some people, these same wetlands have been viewed as a nuisance. Today, many understand the importance of wetlands for wildlife habitat, as well as flood water retention, ground water recharge, erosion control, water quality filters, and recreation. The best way for more people to understand the value of wetlands is first-hand experience and the Utah Wetlands Interpretive Network (UWIN) is here to help.

UWIN provides information about wetlands of the Great Salt Lake Ecosystem. We direct people to places where they can easily access and learn about wetlands.

This website is your guide to discovering the great variety of wetlands that are unique and vital parts of the Great Salt Lake watershed. It provides information on accessible wetland sites from mountain
streams to Great Salt Lake playas. By exploring multiple sites in the system, visitors can learn how each site contributes to the function of the entire watershed.

The Great Salt Lake is the largest natural saltwater lake in North America. In addition, various types of freshwater wetlands are part of the Great Salt Lake Ecosystem. Combined, they represent over 75% of all wetlands in Utah, and are home to many kinds of plants and animals. This rich ecosystem provides critical habitat for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds throughout western North America.

Look for the UWIN symbol when you visit wetland sites. Know that when you see this symbol you’ve tapped into a network of accessible, irreplaceable, and internationally important wetland areas.