January, February, Estuary, March . . . wait, what?!
Estuary isn’t the 13th month; it’s the tidal mouth of a river, where freshwater meets the ocean — think the Hudson, Chesapeake and Delaware Bays.
Estuaries are vital ecosystems, home to thousands of species of birds, mammals, fish and other wildlife. They filter out pollutants and sediments to maintain cleaner water, help stabilize coastlines, and protect communities from the impacts of climate change and sea-level rise. Phew – estuaries are busy every month of the year!
Picking up trash, conserving water, and being mindful about what goes down the drain are a few ways you give these ecological wonders a helping hand.
📸NOAA