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Wetlands

A Guide to Wetlands and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Washington, DC

A wetland is a wonderful place to get away from the hustle and bustle of urban life, a place to watch birds, fish or just relax. Wetlands are home to an abundance of wildlife and plants. Many can only be found in wetlands and may be rare or endangered. Wetlands are also fragile, so when you visit a wetland, please take care to leave it as you found it.

There are a number of wetlands on publicly owned land in Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland that are open to visitors. This collection includes a variety of wetland types in beautiful settings. Several are accessible by car or public transportation from the urban heart of Washington.

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