Let's Get Wet - 2

Come on in and explore the water with me, just wade on in. Wetlands are the coolest habitats on the earth. They are the richest places anywhere. Tons of plants, billions of insects are used by birds migrating every spring and fall. Then, for those birds that stick around in the summer, those same insects and plants are used for protein to raise their young to be big and strong so that someday they can make the migration trip themselves. Look at all these turtles, frogs and other amphibians and reptiles. They just sit in the sunshine to soak up warmth and gobble up small animals and plants. Here in St. Louis, we have the two greatest rivers in all of the U.S., the Missouri River and the Mississippi River. The Missouri River drains states from our west, from the Rocky Mountains, and the Mississippi River drains states from our east, from the Appalachian Mountains. These two rivers come together just north of St. Louis right here at Columbia Bottom Conservation area. The Mississippi River then travels south for hundreds of miles all the way until it reaches the Gulf of Mexico. We are so lucky to have amazing river areas and all that water feeds acres and acres of marshes, lakes, and outstanding habitats for wildlife. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and experience our wonderful wetlands!